Title of Invention: AUTOMATED DRUG PREPARATION APPARATUS INCLUDING DRUG RECONSTITUTION Abstract: An automated medication preparation system for preparing a prescribed dosage of medication in a drug delivery device includes a plurality of stations for receiving, handling and processing the drug delivery device so that the prescribed dosage of medication is delivered to the drug delivery device and a transporting device that receives and holds more than one drug delivery device and moves the drug delivery devices in a controlled manner from one station to another station. The system is configured so that two or more separate drug delivery devices can be acted upon at the same time. Detailed Description: CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/434,850, filed May 15, 2006, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/728,371, filed Dec. 3, 2003, which claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/430,481, filed Dec. 3, 2002, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/470,328, filed May 13, 2003, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to medical and pharmaceutical equipment, and more particularly, to an automated system for preparing a drug delivery device, such as a syringe, to receive a unit dose of medication and then dispensing the unit dose of medication into the drug delivery device (e.g., a syringe) and to a number of safety and control features that preserve the integrity and optimize the performance and capabilities of the system. BACKGROUND Disposable syringes are in widespread use for a number of different types of applications. For example, syringes are used not only to withdraw a fluid (e.g., blood) from a patient but also to administer a medication to a patient. In the latter, a cap or the like is removed from the syringe and a unit dose of the medication is carefully measured and then injected or otherwise disposed within the syringe. As technology advances, more and more sophisticated, automated systems are being developed for preparing and delivering medications by integrating a number of different stations, with one or more specific tasks being performed at each station. For example, one type of exemplary automated system operates as a syringe filling apparatus that receives user inputted information, such as the type of medication, the volume of the medication and any mixing instructions, etc. The system then uses this inputted information to disperse the correct medication into the syringe up to the inputted volume. In some instances, the medication that is to be delivered to the patient includes more than one pharmaceutical substance. For example, the medication can be a mixture of several components, such as several pharmaceutical substances. By automating the medication preparation process, increased production and efficiency are achieved and better environmental control of the production process is achieved, thereby reducing opportunities for contamination. This results in reduced production costs and also permits the system to operate over any time period of a given day with only limited operator intervention for manual inspection to ensure proper operation is being achieved. Such a system finds particular utility in settings, such as large hospitals, where a large number of doses of medications that must be prepared daily. Traditionally, these doses have been prepared manually in what is an exacting but tedious responsibility for a highly skilled staff. In order to be valuable, automated systems must maintain the exacting standards set by medical regulatory organizations, while at the same time simplifying the overall process and reducing the time necessary for preparing the medications. Because syringes are used often as the carrier means for transporting and delivering the medication to the patient, it is advantageous for these automated systems to be tailored to accept syringes. However, the previous methods of dispersing the medication from the vial and into the syringe were very time consuming and labor intensive. More specifically, medications and the like are typically stored in a vial that is sealed with a safety cap or the like. In conventional medication preparation, a trained person retrieves the correct vial from a storage cabinet or the like, confirms the contents and then removes the safety cap manually. This is typically done by simply popping the safety cap off with one's hands. Once the safety cap is removed, the trained person inspects the integrity of the membrane and cleans the membrane. An instrument, e.g., a needle, is then used to pierce the membrane and withdraw the medication contained in the vial. The withdrawn medication is then placed into a syringe to permit subsequent administration of the medication from the syringe. All injections must be administered as liquids. If an injectable substance has a limited shelf-life as a liquid, it may be provided in solid or powdered for to be liquefied with a diluent, such as water or saline, prior to use. The process is called reconstitution and involves selecting an appropriate diluent, injecting the measured volume of diluent into the vial, and agitating the vial to ensure complete dissolution of the drug. The medication thus initially comes in a solid form and is contained in an injectable drug vial and then the proper amount of diluent is added and the vial is agitated to ensure that all of the solid goes into solution, thereby providing a medication having the desired concentration. The drug vial is typically stored in a drug cabinet or the like and is then delivered to other stations where it is processed to receive the diluent. This is a time consuming process and is open to human error in the reconstitution of the medication. What is needed in the art and has heretofore not been available is a system and method for automating the medication preparation process and more specifically, an automated system and method for preparing a syringe including preparing and filling the syringe with reconstituted medication, as well as a number of safety features that improve the integrity of the process. SUMMARY An automated medication preparation system for preparing a prescribed dosage of medication in a drug delivery device includes a plurality of stations for receiving, handling and processing the drug delivery device so that the prescribed dosage of medication is delivered to the drug delivery device and a transporting device that receives and holds more than one drug delivery device and moves the drug delivery devices in a controlled manner from one station to another station. The system is configured so that two or more separate drug delivery devices can be acted upon at the same time. In another aspect, an automated drug preparation system for preparing a prescribed dosage of medication in a syringe includes a first drug delivery station that includes a first automated drug delivery device that is in fluid communication with a source of a first fluid that is for delivery to the syringe. The system further includes an adjustable plunger extension mechanism that includes a movable component that intimately engages a plunger of the syringe so that a first movement of the movable component is translated into a first extension of the plunger a first defined distance which causes a first volume of the first fluid to be drawn into the syringe. The system also includes a controller that includes stored medication orders including a final volume and concentration of the prescribed dosage of medication, wherein and based on the stored medication orders, the controller calculates the first defined distance that the plunger is moved to draw the first volume of the first fluid and causes the plunger to extend the first defined distance. When the first volume is less than the final volume, the controller calculates the difference between the final volume and the first volume and disengages the fluid communication between the source of the first fluid and the first automated drug delivery device and then calculates a second defined distance the plunger is to be moved to permit reception of a second volume of a second fluid and causes the plunger to extend the second defined distance. The sum of the first and second volumes is equal to the final volume. In another embodiment, a method for processing a drug order and preparing a diluted child drug product from a parent drug product, when it is required, includes the steps of: (a) receiving and processing the drug order and determining whether a diluted child drug product is required as is the case when the drug order can not be prepared by processing the parent drug product; (b) determining whether a diluted parent drug product exists and if none exists, then determining whether an amount of reconstituted parent drug product can be aspirated into a syringe and an amount of diluent directly added to the syringe to yield the diluted child drug product; and if so, then performing these operations; and (c) if the diluted parent drug product exists, then determining whether an amount of the diluted parent drug product can be aspirated into a syringe and an amount of diluent directly added to the syringe to yield the diluted child drug product; and if so, then performing these operations; and if the diluted parent drug product does not exist, then the parent drug product is located and an amount of the parent drug product is aspirated into an empty container and an amount of diluent is added to the container which is then manipulated to produce the child drug product. In another aspect, a method of preparing a diluted dosage of medication with an automated drug preparation system includes the steps of: (a) reconstituting medication in a first vial, in an automated manner, to produce reconstituted medication have a first concentration which is greater than an inputted target concentration of the dosage of medication; (b) loading a syringe onto a device that controllably delivers the loaded syringe from one station to another station; (c) fluidly connecting the syringe to a source of diluent; (d) extending a plunger of the syringe a predetermined distance to draw a first volume of the diluent into the syringe; and (e) advancing the partially filled syringe to another station where a predetermined amount of the reconstituted medication is delivered to the partially filled syringe to produce the dosage of medication that has a concentration at least about equal to the inputted target concentration, wherein the reconstituted medication is delivered to the partially filled syringe in a manner different than drawing fluid by extension of the syringe plunger. In yet another embodiment, a method of withdrawing a precise amount of drug from a drug vial in an automated manner includes the steps of: (a) identifying the type of drug vial being used; (b) accessing a database to retrieve stored vial characteristics that are associated with the identified drug vial; (c) positioning a vented cannula relative to the drug vial based on the stored vial characteristics such that in a first mode of operation, a vent port of the vented cannula is open and the drug vial is vented to atmosphere and in a second mode of operation, the vent port is closed; and (d) drawing the precise amount of drug from the drug vial. Further aspects and features of the exemplary automated drug reconstitution system and method disclosed herein can be appreciated from the appended Figures and accompanying written description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a housing that contains an automated drug delivery system that prepares a dosage of medication to be administered to a patient; FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of the automated system for preparing a medication to be administered to a patient; FIG. 3 is a local perspective view of an automated device for removing or replacing the safety tip cap from the syringe; FIG. 4 is a local perspective view of a device for extending a plunger of the syringe; FIG. 5 is a local perspective view of fluid transfer and vial preparation equipment in a fluid transfer area of the automated system; FIG. 6 is a local perspective view of first and second fluid delivery devices that form a part of the system of FIG. 2; FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a syringe being held with a plunger thereof being extended by an automated plunger extension mechanism; FIG. 8 is a local perspective view of a multi-use vial holding station and a vial weigh station; FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a robotic device holding a syringe and a weigh station for weighing a filled syringe; FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a drug vial; FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a drug vial with a vented cannula in a first position where the vent is inactive; FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a drug vial with the vented cannula in a second position where the vent is active; FIG. 13 is a computer screen image of the system of FIG. 2 with indicia representing loaded stations and empty station and active and inactive stations; FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of drug delivery directly from a drug vial by extending the plunger of a syringe with an automated mechanism; FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of a serial dilution performed by the devices of FIG. 6; FIG. 16 is a computer screen image of an input page for entering information related to a drug dilution order; FIG. 17 is a graph of the data obtained by a load cell for determining a weight of the contents of the vial to ensure proper reconstitution of the medication; and FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a vibratory vial reconstitution system for holding and mixing a drug vial. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is perspective view of a housing 1300 that is constructed to house an automated drug preparation and delivery system 100 in a sealed, controlled environment when the housing structure is closed (sealed). A user interface, such as a computer, 1303 is provided to permit an operator not only to enter information, such as drug orders, but also to monitor the progress and operation of the system 100. The housing 1300 and its components are described in greater detail below. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating one exemplary automated system, generally indicated at 100, for the preparation of a medication. The automated system 100 is divided into a number of stations where a specific task is performed based on the automated system 100 receiving user input instructions, processing these instructions and then preparing unit doses of one or more medications in accordance with the instructions. The automated system 100 includes a station 110 where medications and other substances used in the preparation process are stored. As used herein, the term “medication” refers to a medicinal preparation for administration to a patient. Often, the medication is initially stored as a solid, e.g., a powder, to which a diluent is added to form a medicinal composition. Thus, the station 110 functions as a storage unit for storing one or medications, etc., under proper storage conditions. Typically, medications and the like are stored in sealed containers, such as vials, that are labeled to clearly indicate the contents of each vial. The vials are typically stored in columns and further, empty vials can be stored in one column. The station 110 includes a mechanism that permits the controlled discharge of a selected drug vial 60. A first station 120 is a syringe storage station that houses and stores a number of syringes. For example, up to 500 syringes or more can be disposed in the first station 120 for storage and later use. The first station 120 can be in the form of a bin or the like or any other type of structure than can hold a number of syringes. In one exemplary embodiment, the syringes are provided as a bandolier structure that permits the syringes to be fed into the other components of the system 100 using standard delivery techniques, such as a conveyor belt, etc. The system 100 also includes an apparatus 130 for advancing the fed syringes from and to various stations of the system 100. The apparatus 130 can be a rotary device, as shown, or it can be a linear apparatus, or it can assume some other shape. For purposes of illustration only, the apparatus 130 is discussed and shown as being a rotary device; however, it is not limited to such a configuration and therefore, the present disclosure is not limiting of the scope of the present invention. A number of the stations are arranged circumferentially around the rotary apparatus 130 so that the syringe is first loaded at the first station 120 and then rotated a predetermined distance to a next station, etc., as the medication preparation process advances. At each station, a different operation is performed with the end result being that a unit dose of medication is disposed within the syringe that is then ready to be administered. One exemplary type of rotary apparatus 130 is a multiple station cam-indexing dial that is adapted to perform material handling operations. The indexer is configured to have multiple stations positioned thereabout with individual nests for each station position. One syringe is held within one nest using any number of suitable techniques, including opposing spring-loaded fingers that act to clamp the syringe in its respective nest. The indexer permits the rotary apparatus 130 to be advanced at specific intervals. At a second station 140, the syringes are loaded into one of the nests or the like of the rotary apparatus 130. One syringe is loaded into one nest of the rotary apparatus 130 in which the syringe is securely held in place. The system 100 preferably includes additional mechanisms for preparing the syringe for use, such as removing a tip cap and extending a plunger of the syringe at a third station 150 as described below. At this point, the syringe is ready for use. The system 100 also preferably includes a reader 151 that is capable of reading a label disposed on the sealed container containing the medication. The label is read using any number of suitable reader/scanner/camera devices 151, such as a bar code reader, etc., so as to confirm that the proper medication has been selected from the storage unit of the station 110. Multiple readers can be employed in the system at various locations to confirm the accuracy of the entire process. Once the system 100 confirms that the sealed container (drug vial 60) that has been selected contains the proper medication, the vial 60 is delivered to a station 550 using an automated mechanism, such a robotic gripping device, as will be described in greater detail. At the station 550, the vial 60 is prepared by removing the safety cap from the sealed container and then cleaning the exposed end of the vial. Preferably, the safety cap is removed on a deck of the automated system 100 having a controlled environment. In this manner, the safety cap is removed just-in-time for use. Exemplary vial cap removal devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,903, which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety. In addition, the vial cap can be removed by other devices, such as one which has a member with suction (vacuum) capabilities incorporated therein for removing the cap. In this embodiment, the suction member is applied to the vial cap and then the suction is activated and then the robotic arm that is gripping and hold the vial body itself is twisted while the drug vial cap is under suction, thus prying the cap from its seal. The cap is still held by suction on the member until the suction is released at which time the cap falls into a trash bin. The system 100 also preferably includes a fourth station (fluid transfer station) 170 for injecting or delivering a diluent into the medication contained in the sealed container and then subsequently mixing the medication and the diluent to form the medication composition that is to be disposed into the prepared syringe. Alternatively, the station 170 can controllably deliver a predetermined dosage of pre-made medication. At this fluid transfer station 170, the prepared medication composition is withdrawn from the container (i.e., vial) and is then delivered into the syringe. For example, a cannula can be inserted into the sealed vial and the medication composition then aspirated into a cannula set. The cannula is then withdrawn from the vial and is then rotated relative to the rotary apparatus 130 so that it is in line with (above, below, etc.) the syringe. The unit dose of the medication composition is then delivered to the syringe, as well as additional diluent, if necessary or desired. This is referred to as a vial mode of operation where reconstitution of a drug is performed. The tip cap is then placed back on the syringe at a station 180. A station 190 prints and station 195 applies a label to the syringe and a device, such as a reader, can be used to verify that this label is placed in a correct location and the printing thereon is readable. Also, the reader can confirm that the label properly identifies the medication composition that is contained in the syringe and thus performs a safety check. The syringe is then unloaded from the rotary apparatus 130 at an unloading station 200 and delivered to a predetermined location, such as a new order bin, a conveyor, a sorting device, or a reject bin. The delivery of the syringe can be accomplished using a standard conveyor or other type of apparatus. If the syringe is provided as a part of the previously-mentioned syringe bandolier, the bandolier is cut prior at a station 198 located prior to the unloading station 200. It will be appreciated that an initial labeling station 153 prior to the drug delivery station 170 (e.g., a station right after the load station 120) can be provided for applying a label with a unique identifier, such as a barcode, that uniquely identifies the syringe so that it can be tracked at any location as it is advanced from one station to another station. In other words, a reader 155 downstream of the initial labeling station 153 reads the unique identifier and associates the unique identifier with this particular syringe 10. This permits each drug order to be assigned one particular uniquely identified syringe which is logged into and tracked by the computer. As the syringe is advanced, its location can be tracked by the unique identifier. A robotic device is provided for moving objects relative to the transporter device (dial 130) and in particular, the robotic device can deliver and/or remove objects, such as the syringe 10 or the drug vials 60, relative to the dial 130. The robotic device thus typically has a gripper mechanism, such as a pair of grippers, for grasping and holding the object. FIGS. 2-5 illustrate parts of the third station 150 for preparing a syringe 10, the fluid transfer station 170, and the station 180 for preparing the syringe for later use. As is known, a conventional syringe 10 includes a barrel 20 into which fluid is injected and contained and at a barrel tip, a cap 40 is provided to close off the barrel 20. A plunger 50 is slidingly received within the barrel 20 for both drawing fluid into the barrel and discharging fluid therefrom. FIGS. 2-5 thus illustrate in more detail the stations and automated devices that are used in removal of the tip cap 40 from the barrel tip, the filling of barrel chamber with medication and the replacement of the tip cap 40 on the barrel tip. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an automated device 300 at station 150 that removes the tip cap 40 from the barrel tip as the syringe 10 is prepared for receiving a prescribed dose of medication at station 170 of the automated medication preparation system 100. The device 300 is a controllable device that is operatively connected to a control unit, such as a computer, which drives the device 300 to specific locations at selected times. The control unit can be a personal computer that runs one or more programs to ensure coordinated operation of all of the components of the system 100. The device 300 and other suitable devices described in greater detail in U.S. Ser. No. 10/426,910, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. As previously mentioned, one exemplary rotary device 130 is a multiple station cam-indexing dial that is adapted to perform material handling operations. The dial 130 has an upper surface 132 and means 134 for securely holding one syringe 10 in a releasable manner and in a spaced relationship. Exemplary means 134 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,915,823, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. A post 161 is provided for holding the tip cap 40 after its removal to permit the chamber to be filled with medication. The post 161 can also be formed on the upper surface 132 of the dial 130. Thus, the precise location of the post 161 can vary so long as the post 161 is located where the tip cap 40 can sit without interfering with the operation of any of the automated devices and also the post 161 should not be unnecessarily too far away from the held syringe 10 since it is desired for the automated devices to travel a minimum distance during their operation to improve the overall efficiency of the system 100. The specific shape of the post 161 can likewise vary so long as the post 161 can hold the tip cap 40 so that it remains on the post 161 during the rotation of the dial 130 as the associated syringe 10 is advanced from one station to another station. While in one exemplary embodiment, the syringes 10 are fed to the rotary device 130 as part of a syringe bandolier (i.e., multiple syringes 10 are disposed in series and interconnected by a web), it will be appreciated that the syringes 10 can be fed to the rotary device 130 in any number of other ways. For example, the syringes 10 can be fed individually into and held individually on the rotary device 130 from a loose supply of syringes 10. The automated device 300 is a robotic device and preferably, the automated device 300 is a linear actuator with a gripper. For example, the device 300 has first and second positionable gripping arms 340, 350 which are adjustable in at least one direction and which are coupled to and extend downwardly from the block member 330. For example, each of the gripping arms 340, 350 is movable at least in a direction along the y axis which provide the flexibility and motion control that is desirable in the present system 100. The gripping arms 340, 350 are programmed to work together in tandem so that both arms 340, 350 are driven to the same location and the same time. This permits an object, such as the cap 40, to be held and moved to a target holding location. The precise movements of the gripper device 300 are described in the '910 application. In general, the gripper device 300 can be any robotic device that can hold and move an object, such as the tip cap 40, from one location to another location. Now referring to FIG. 4, the system 100 also includes a device 400 for extending the plunger 50 of one uncapped syringe 10 after it has had its tip cap 40 removed therefrom. For ease of illustration, the device 400, as well as the device 300, are described as being part of the third station 150 of the system 100. The device 400 extends the plunger 50 so that the syringe 10 can receive a desired dose based upon the particular syringe 10 being used and the type of application (e.g., patient's needs) that the syringe 10 is to be used for. The device 400 can have any number of configurations so long as it contains a feature that is designed to make contact with and withdraw the plunger 50. In one exemplary embodiment, the automated device 400 is a robotic device and preferably, the automated device 400 is a linear actuator with a gripper. For example, one exemplary device 400 is a mechanical device that has a movable gripper 410 that includes a gripping edge 420 that engages the flange 54 of the plunger 50, as shown in FIG. 4, and then the gripper 410 is moved in a downward direction causing the plunger 50 to be moved a predetermined amount. For example, the gripper 410 can be the part of an extendable/retractable arm that includes the gripping edge 420 for engaging the syringe 10 above the plunger flange 54. When an actuator or the like (e.g., stepper motor) causes the gripper 410 to move in a downward direction, the gripping edge 420 seats against the flange 54 and further movement of the gripper 410 causes the extension of the plunger 50. Once the plunger 50 has been extended the prescribed precise distance, the gripper 410 moves laterally away from the plunger 50 so that the interference between the flange 54 of the plunger 50 and the gripping edge 420 no longer exits. In other words, the gripper 410 is free of engagement with the plunger 50 and can therefore be positioned back into its initial position by being moved laterally and/or in an up/down direction (e.g., the gripper 410 can move upward to its initial position). An exemplary plunger extending device is described in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/457,066, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Thus, the device 400 complements the device 300 in getting the syringe 10 ready for the fluid transfer station at which time, a prescribed amount of medication or other medication is dispensed into the chamber 30 of the barrel 20 as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. Of course, it will be appreciated that the syringes 10 can be provided without caps 40 and thus, the device 300 is not needed to remove caps 40 if the syringes 10 are loaded onto dial 130 without caps 40. The device 400 is part of the overall programmable system and therefore, the distance that the gripper 410 moves corresponds to a prescribed movement of the plunger 50 and a corresponding increase in the available volume of the chamber of the barrel 20. For example, if the prescribed unit dose for a particular syringe 10 is 8 ml, then the controller instructs the device 400 to move the gripper 410 a predetermined distance that corresponds with the plunger 50 moving the necessary distance so that the volume of the barrel chamber is at least 8 ml. This permits the unit dose of 8 ml to be delivered into the barrel chamber. As described below, the device 400 can be operated multiple times with reference to one syringe 10 in that the plunger 50 can be extended a first distance during a first operation of the device 400 and a second distance during a subsequent second operation of the device 400. In one example, after the syringe 10 has been prepared by removing the tip cap 40 and extending the plunger 50 a prescribed distance, the syringe 10 is then delivered to the fluid transfer station 170 where a fluid transfer device 500 prepares and delivers the desired amount of medication. Now turning to FIG. 5 in which a drug preparation area is illustrated in greater detail to show the individual components thereof. More specifically, a drug transfer area for the vial mode of operation of the system 100 is illustrated and is located proximate the rotary dial 130 so that after one drug vial 60 is prepared (reconstituted), the contents thereof can be easily delivered to one or more syringes 10 that are securely held in nested fashion on the rotary dial 130. As previously mentioned, drug vials 60 are stored typically in the storage cabinet 110 and can be in either liquid form or solid form or even be empty. A driven member, such as a conveyor belt 111, delivers the drug vial 60 from the cabinet 110 to a first robotic device (e.g., a pivotable vial gripper mechanism) 510 that receives the vial 60 in a horizontal position and after gripping the vial with arms (grippers) or the like, the mechanism 510 is operated so that the vial 60 is moved to a vertical position relative to the ground and is held in an upright manner. The mechanism 510 is designed to deliver the vial 60 to a rotatable pedestal 520 that receives the vial 60 once the grippers of the mechanism 510 are released. The vial 60 sits upright on the pedestal 520 near one edge thereof that faces the mechanism 510 and is then rotated so that the vial 60 is moved toward the other side of the pedestal 520. It will be understood that any number of different robotic mechanisms can be used to handle, move and hold the vial. As the pedestal rotates, the vial 60 is scanned as by a barcode reader 151 or the like and preferably a photoimage thereof is taken and the vial 60 is identified. If the vial 60 is not the correct vial, then the vial 60 is not used and is discarded using a gripper device that can capture and remove the vial 60 from the pedestal before it is delivered to the next processing station. The central control has a database that stores all the identifying information for the vials 60 and therefore, when a dose is being prepared, the controller knows which vial (by its identifying information) is to be delivered from the cabinet 110 to the pedestal 520. If the scanning process and other safety features does not result in a clear positive identification of the vial as compared to the stored identifying information, then the vial is automatically discarded (e.g., returned to a further inspection station) and the controller will instruct the system to start over and retrieve a new vial. The reader, such as a scanner, 151 can also read the vial 60 to ensure that the proper vial 60 has been delivered and gripped by the robotic device. This is another safety check and can be implemented with barcodes or the like. The reader 151 initially reads the barcode or other identifying information contained on the vial 60 and this read information is compared to a stored database that contains the inputted drug information. If the product identification information does not match, the operator is notified and the vial 60 is not advanced to the next station. If the vial 60 is identified as being the correct vial, then a vial gripper device (robotic device) 530 moves over to the pedestal for retrieving the vial 60 (alternatively, this robotic device can be the same robotic device that delivers the vial 60 to the pedestal). The vial gripper device 530 is configured to securely grip and carry the vial in a nested manner to the next stations as the drug is prepared for use. Details and operation of the vial gripper device 530 are described in detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/434,850, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The robotic device 530 includes a pair of grippers or arms 539 (gripper unit) that are positionable between closed and open positions with the vial 60 being captured between the arms in the closed position in such a manner that the vial 60 can be securely moved and even inverted and shaken without concern that the vial 60 will become dislodged and fall from the arms. The arms thus have a complementary shape as the vial 60 so that when the arms close, they engage the vial and nest around a portion (e.g., neck portion) of the vial 60 resulting in the vial 60 being securely captured between the arms. As with some of the other components, the arms can be pneumatically operated arms or some other mechanical devices. In order to retrieve the vial 60 from the pedestal 520, the device 530 is driven forward and then to one side so that it is position proximate the pedestal 520. The gripper unit 539 is then moved downward so that the arms, in their open position, are spaced apart with the vial 60 being located between the open arms. The gripper unit 539 is then actuated so that the arms close and capture the vial 60 between the arms. Next the robotic device 530 is moved upward and the device 530 is driven back to the opposite side so as to introduce the vial 60 to the next station. The vial 60 is also inverted by inversion of the gripper unit 539 so that the vial 60 is disposed upside down. The inverted vial 60 is then delivered to a station 550 where the vial 60 is prepared by removing the safety cap from vial 60. This station 550 can therefore be called a vial decapper station. Any number of devices can be used at station 550 to remove the safety cap from the vial. For example, several exemplary decapper devices are disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,903 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. After the vial 60 is decapped, the vial is then delivered, still in the inverted position, to a cleaning station 560 where the exposed end of the vial is cleaned. For example, underneath the removed vial safety cap, there is a septum that can be pierced to gain access to the contents of the vial. The cleaning station 560 can be in the form of a swab station that has a wick saturated with a cleaning solution, such as an alcohol. The exposed area of the vial 60 is cleaned by making several passes over the saturated wick which contacts and baths the exposed area with cleaning solution. After the vial 60 is cleaned at the station 560, the gripper unit 539 rotates so that the vial 60 is returned to its upright position and remains held between the gripper arms. The vial 60 can then be delivered to a weigh station 540 (FIG. 8) where the weight of the vial with solid medication (or an empty vial or any other object) is measured and stored in the computer system. Any number of different devices, such as scales, can be used to weigh the vial; however, one exemplary device for weighing the vial 60 and any other object for that matter, is a load cell 542. Load cell 542 is a transducer for the measurement of force or weight, usually based on a strain gauge bridge or vibrating wire sensor. In particular and as shown in FIG. 8, the load cell 542 includes a housing or body 544 that contains the working components and electronics of the load cell 542 and a platform 546 on which the item, in this case, the vial, to be weighed is placed. The load cell 542 is part of an overall automated and integrated system and therefore, it contains software that communicates with the master controller so that the operation of the complete system 100 can be controlled, including the movement of the robotic device 530 that holds and transport the vial 60 from one location to another location. As shown in FIG. 8, the vial 60 is held by the robotic device about the neck portion and can therefore be delivered onto the load cell platform 546. In one embodiment, the robotic device moves the vial 60 from the pedestal 520 to the platform 546. The software controlling the robotic device is configured so that the vial grippers of the robotic device are first approximately level with the standby pedestal 520 and at this point, the software of the load cell gathers a predetermined number, such as 10-15 (e.g., 15) weights from the load cell 542 which are considered the tare weight. The vial 60 is then shuttled down to a predetermined distance, such as 2.5 mm, above the load cell platform 546. From this predetermined distance (e.g., 2.5 mm), the load cell software shuttles the vial 60 down towards the load cell platform 546 very slowly, while monitoring the weights returned by the load cell 542 to determine the exact moment the vial makes contact with the platform 546 (i.e., which will register a marked increase in observed weight). At the moment the vial contact the platform, the software instructs the vial grippers to open and all vertical movement of the vial is stopped. A predetermined time, such as 0.5 seconds, after the vial grippers open, the software collects a predetermined number, such as 10-15 (e.g., 15) weight measurements from the load cell, which shall be considered the weight of the vial and the load cell platform. The data collected by the load cell can be processed in any number of different ways and in one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, a graph is created where the x axis is the measured amplitude (A to D counts) and the y axis is the time (ms). The point at which the vial makes contact with the load cell 542 is indicated at line 545. The vial weight (A to D counts) is equal to the measured weight -tare. The vial weight (grams) is equal to (vial weight (A to D counts)*slope)+intercept. In another embodiment, data is not displayed but is manipulated inside the master controller and the final results are used for system reaction. As will be described below, since the initial weight of the vial is measured and stored and later, the weight of the reconstituted drug in the vial is calculated, a safety check can be performed to determine if the proper drug product was fabricated. In another embodiment, such as in a serial dilution scheme, an empty child vial is weighed and diluent is added and weighed. After that, drug is added to the vial with diluent and weighed. Then the system calculates the amount of the diluent and drug added to the vial and knows the final composition of the drug in the vial. The device 530 then advances forward to the fluid transfer station 170 according to one embodiment. The fluid transfer station 170 is an automated station where the medication (drug) can be processed so that it is in a proper form for delivery (injection) into one of the syringes 10 that is coupled to the rotary dial 130. As mentioned before, the fluid transfer station 170 is used during operation of the system, at least partially, in a vial mode of operation. When the vial 60 contains only a solid medication and it is necessary for a diluent (e.g., water or other fluid) to be added to liquify the solid, this process is called a reconstitution process. Alternatively and as will be described in detail below, the medication can already be prepared and therefore, in this embodiment, the fluid transfer station is a station where a precise amount of medication is simply aspirated or withdrawn from the vial 60 and delivered to the syringe 10. For purpose of illustration, the reconstitution process is first described. After having been cleaned, the vial 60 containing a prescribed amount of solid medication is delivered in the upright position to the fluid transfer station 170 by the device 530. As will be appreciated, the device 530 has a wide range of movements in the x, y and z directions and therefore, the vial 60 can easily be moved to a set fluid transfer position. At this position, the vial 60 remains upright and a fluid transfer device 580 is brought into position relative to the vial 60 so that an automated fluid transfer can result therebetween. More specifically, the fluid transfer device 580 is the main means for both discharging a precise amount of diluent into the vial 60 to reconstitute the medication and also for aspirating or withdrawing the reconstituted medication from the vial 60 in a precise, prescribed amount. The device 580 is a controllable device that is operatively connected to a control unit, such as a computer, which drives the device 580 to specific locations at selected times and controls with a high degree of precision the operation and discharge of medication. The control unit can be a personal computer that runs one or more programs to ensure the coordinated operation of all of the components of the system 100. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6, one exemplary fluid transfer device 580 is a robotic device having a movable cannula unit 590 that can be moved in a controlled up and down and side-side, etc., manner so to either lower it or raise it relative to the vial 60 in the fluid transfer position and to move it into the proper position. For example, the cannula unit 590 can be pneumatically operated or operated by an electric motor or some other means to cause the controlled movement of the cannula unit 590. At one end of the cannula unit 590, a cannula 610 is provided. The cannula 610 has one end that serves to pierce the septum of the vial 60 and an opposite end that is connected to a main conduit 620 that serves to both deliver diluent to the cannula 610 and ultimately to the vial 60 and receive aspirated reconstituted medication from the vial 60. Preferably, the cannula 610 is of the type that is known as a vented cannula which can be vented to atmosphere as a means for eliminating any dripping or spattering of the medication during an aspiration process. More specifically, the use of a vented needle to add (and withdraw) the fluid to the vial overcomes a number of shortcoming associated with cannula fluid transfer and in particular, the use of this type of needle prevents backpressure in the vial (which can result in blow out or spitting or spraying of the fluid through the piercing hole of the cannula). The venting takes place via an atmospheric vent that is located in a clean air space and is formed in a specially designed hub that is disposed over the needle. By varying the depth that the needle penetrates the vial, the user can control whether the vent is activated or not. It will be appreciated that the venting action is a form of drip control (spitting) that may otherwise take place. Drip control is a process after aspiration where fluid is sucked back into the cannula 610 (tube) to prevent dripping of the drug and then the cannula 610 is transferred to the syringe for dispensing. Moreover, the cannula 610 is also preferably of the type that is motorized so that the tip of the cannula 610 can move around within the vial 60 so that cannula 610 can locate and aspirate every last drop of the medication. In other words, the cannula 610 itself is mounted within the cannula unit 590 so that it can move slightly therein such that the tip moves within the vial and can be brought into contact with the medication wherever the medication may lie within the vial 60. Thus, the cannula 610 is driven so that it can be moved at least laterally within the vial 60. An opposite end of the main conduit 620 is connected to a fluid pump system 630 that provides the means for creating a negative pressure in the main conduit 620 to cause a precise amount of fluid to be withdrawn into the cannula 610 and the main conduit 620, as well as creating a positive pressure in the main conduit 620 to discharge the fluid (either diluent or medication) that is stored in the main conduit 620 proximate the cannula 610. One exemplary fluid pump system 630, as well as the operation thereof, is described in great detail in the '823 patent, which has been incorporated by reference. The net result is that the prescribed amount of diluent that is needed to properly reconstitute the medication is delivered through the cannula 610 and into the vial 60. Accordingly, the cannula 610 pierces the septum of the vial and then delivers the diluent to the vial and the vial 60 can be inverted to cause agitation and mixing of the contents of the vial or the vial can be delivered to a separate mixing device to cause the desired mixing of the contents. After the medication in the vial 60 has been reconstituted as by inversion of the vial and/or mixing, as described herein, the fluid pump system 630 is then operated so that a prescribed amount of medication is aspirated or otherwise drawn from the vial 60 through the cannula 610
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