A
system for monitoring and dispensing medical items which are dispensed for administration to patients includes a
data terminal (76, 338, 538) which is connected through a network (82, 328, 536) to at least one computer (84, 324, 532) having a processor and a
data store. The
system also includes a reading device (348, 538) which is operatively connected to the network. A user of the
data terminal or the reading device is enabled to select a patient for whom medical items will be used, and responsive to a request to dispense items the requested items are dispensed from dispensing devices (96, 100, 344, 346, 450, 527, 540) connected to the
data terminal. Storage locations in dispensing devices may be restocked using removable liners. The removable liners are stocked with medical items in a
stocking location (550) and transported in a secure condition to the storage locations. The storage locations are accessed by an authorized restocking user. The previously installed liners removed and the new liners installed. The previously installed liners are thereafter returned to the
stocking location for reuse.