The dispenser has a tiny microchip inside, which can read information on the card when it is inserted into the dispenser.

CNN: Medication reminder for elderly

Two copies are in her home (the cabinet where the bottles of drugs are kept and on the bottom of her weekly dispenser), plus she and I each have a copy in our wallets, and I update all the doctors every time something changes.

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The patient then takes the card to their pharmacist, who also has a smart card reader, and using information on the card, dispenses the prescribed medication into a dispenser.

CNN: Medication reminder for elderly