University to Install Prescription Drug Vending Machine on Campus

Arizona State University (ASU) in Tempe, Arizona, is installing a vending machine for prescription medications after the closure of its on-campus pharmacy two months ago.

Minneapolis-based InstyMeds will reportedly start dispensing medications in the ASU Health Service Building within a couple of weeks.  ASU would be only the second university to get an InstyMeds machine, which until recently only placed its machines in emergency rooms, outpatient surgery offices and urgent care offices.

The prescription medications would be available to any student or university employee who has a valid prescription from ASU Health Service prescribers. The vending machine will reportedly only include the fifty medications most commonly prescribed to college students.

Students and university employees will use a voucher with identification information and a code which is transferred over a secure connection from the prescribing physician to the machine. The code reportedly will be only valid for twenty-four hours.

While some say this is a great option, especially for students who do not have off campus transportation, others have questioned whether the new vending system will be safe.