A prototype for the “Pill Locker” was made public just three weeks ago. Creator Victor Lewis says the response has already been overwhelming.

“We attracted just about everybody’s attention. Universities, major clinics,” said Lewis.

Lewis has a background in IT and engineering. While working on a project for the New York State Office of Mental Health a year and a half ago, he was alarmed to learn the number of patients, particularly young people, who deliberately overdose on prescription medication.

To help solve the problem, Lewis and machinists he hired in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., developed a tamper-proof device, programmed to release only the prescribed amount of medication at the prescribed time.

“Pill Locker” is an affiliate of the New York BizLab in Schenectady, a business accelerator.

“BizLab is like an inventor’s dream come true, because it is your single source for anything, whether you need promotional work, whether you need investors work, whether you need consulting,” Lewis said.

Lewis is confident the technology will prevent people from becoming addicted to their prescriptions.

“I don’t see how it couldn’t, because what it does is it regulates the dispensing of the medication. Just because you want two pills or four pills, you don’t get them. Your pill locker won’t let you have them. If you have a problem with that, you can talk to your doctor,” said Lewis.

Once commercially available, Lewis says prices will range from $75-$200. He is looking for investors. Lewis plans to roll out the “Pill Locker" in New York next year.