Information-driven pharmaceutical adherence packaging

• US 20070187281A1
• Filed: 02/10/2006
• Published: 08/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Richard P. Neafus Jr
• Original Assignee: InnovaSage, Inc.
• Inventors: Neafus, Richard
• Application Number:
  US11/351,359
• Publication Number:
  US 20070187281A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/534
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/035 Blister-type containers blisters in general B65D75/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/30 Compliance analysis for taking medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/20 Colour codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/30 Printed labels
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/40 by shape or form, e.g. by using shape recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/04 Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers

Abstract

A prepackaged medication system and method is provided to increase patient compliance with prescribed medications. The system comprises providing patients with customized packaging for all of their prescription medications organized by administration timepoint. Since all medications for an individual patient may be packaged in a customized form, a listing of all medications and prescribing physician information may be provided to patients and maintained for reference and use by physicians in evaluating treatment regimens. The method comprises obtaining prescription data from a patient, entering the obtained data into a database, extracting and organizing the patient'"'"'s prescription data, generating a customized packaging layout for all of the patient'"'"'s prescription medications organized by day and administration timepoint, filling each medication container within the package with the appropriate medication(s) and shipping either directly to the patient or to the patient'"'"'s pharmacy.

Claims

1. A prepackaged medication system provided to patients for improving ease of use and increasing compliance with prescription medications comprising:

at least one medication container support having a plurality of apertures, each aperture arranged on the at least one support by administration timepoint;

a plurality of medication containers supported by the at least one medication container support, each container having an opening, wherein the opening is in operable association with one medication container support aperture and each container is capable of containing all medications prescribed to be administered at the corresponding administration timepoint; and

a seal removably protecting all medication contained within each medication container.

2. The prepackaged medication system of claim 1, wherein each medication container is customizably sized to allow containment of any combination and quantity of medications prescribed to the patient for the corresponding corresponding administration timepoint.

3. The prepackaged medication system of claim 1, wherein the apertures are arranged by day and timepoint within day.

4. The prepackaged medication system of claim 1, wherein the arrangement of the apertures and associated medical containers is defined by the patient'"'"'s prescription requirements.

5. The prepackaged medication system of claim 1, further comprising customizable indicia on the medication container support.

6. The prepackaged medication system of claim 1, wherein the at least one medication container comprises translucent material.

7. The prepackaged medication system of claim 1, wherein the seal comprises translucent material.

8. The prepackaged medication system of claim 1, wherein the seal further comprises a tab to facilitate removal.

9. The prepackaged medication system of claim 1, further comprising the medication containers being detachable from the medication container support.

10. The prepackaged medication system of claim 1, further comprising a childproof cover.

11. The prepackaged medication system of claim 10, wherein the childproof cover is made of hardened plastic.

12. The prepackaged medication system of claim 1, further comprising a listing of all medications of all medications, dosages, medication interactions and prescribing physician information.

13. The prepackaged medication system of claim 1, further comprising a database comprising patient-specific prescription data, wherein the arrangement of apertures and size of individual medication containers are customized in accordance with the patient-specific prescription data.

14. A prepackaged medication system, comprising:

a database comprising patient-specific prescription data;

at least one medication container support having a plurality of apertures, each aperture arranged on the at least one support by administration timepoint in correspondence with the patient-specific prescription data;

a plurality of medication containers supported by the at least one medication container support, each container having an opening, wherein the opening of is in operable association with one medication container support aperture and each container is capable of containing all medications prescribed to be administered at the corresponding administration timepoint, and wherein the size of each medication container is customized in accordance with the patient-specific prescription data; and

a seal removably protecting all medication contained within each medication container.

15. A method for increasing patient compliance with pharmaceutical prescriptions, comprising:

obtaining patient-specific prescription, medical and identification data;

entering the obtained data into a database;

extracting the patient-specific data from the database;

a. generating customized packaging to accommodate all of the patient'"'"'s prescription medications;

packaging the patient'"'"'s prescription medications in the customized packaging;

and

providing the patient with the prepackaged medications.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising performing at least one logical evaluation of the medication to be packaged.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one logical evaluation is performed automatically by software.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising performing at least one visual quality control check of the medication after packaging and prior to providing to the patient.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing customized supplementary medication information to the patient.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the extracting, generating and packaging are automated processes.

21. The method of claim 15, further comprising detecting the need for refills.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising providing the detected refills to the patient without action by the patient.