Medication distribution system

Abstract

A unique medication distribution system for compliance packaging of medications, designed to contain each individual's unique daily medications and supplements and enhance the timely administration of the medications. The production and distribution of the system is automated and highly integrated with the database software as well as business software managed and operated by a pharmacy. The system comprises of a card made up of plastic, paper or composite materials with blister components containing the medication. The card can be bipartite or multipartite according to the medication needs of a user, with foldable side panels. An array of the timing corresponding to each medication is printed on the card. Corresponding to each medication is also an array listing the name of the doctor, the name of the medication and the rationale for its administration. A side panel may have sleeves or pockets containing salves, ointments, patches, lotions or milks, when prescribed to the user. A side panel may be customized to advertising targeting the market defined by individuals who take several medications in a day.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This Application is a Divisional of related pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 620,891 filed Jul. 21, 2000 entitled MEDICATION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and claims any and all benefits to which it is entitled therefrom. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention is related to medication distribution systems, in particular compliance packaging of medications or supplements that make it possible to confirm that a dispensation of a medication regimen customized to an individual's daily needs has actually been adhered to during the course of a day as prescribed by the practitioner. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] A major problem confronted by people, particularly the disabled, chronically ill, home bound and psychiatric patients on multiple drugs, is the implementation of the necessary drug regimen in a safe, accurate and a timely manner. During pharmacological training of nurses and do...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] A further object and advantage of the present invention is to provide a medication distribution system which assists in self-administration or the giving of medications while reducing the risks of improper ingestion of medication or poor compliance that could result in serious consequences.

[0015] Another object and advantage of the present invention is to provide a means for assessing each patient's daily regimen, allowing a physician or other health practitioner to monitor compliance, the ability of an individual to take medications and supplements as prescribed.

[0016] Yet another object and advantage of the present invention is to provide a form to give the patient specific information relative to the medications and supplements ingested.

[0017] It is also an object and advantage of the present invention to contributes to the success of scientific evaluation of the use of medications (evidence based medicine) by facilitating a clear understanding of compliance.

[0018] Thus, a preferred embodiment of the system and method of the present invention includes compliance packaging of medications and supplements in a distribution system for individuals taking multiple medications during the course of a day so that compliance with a prescribed regimen is enhanced. The system comprises a card made of paper, plastic or composite material studded with blister pack components. The card may be bipartite or multipartite, customized to an individual's daily medication and supplement requirements. The repositories of medications and supplements are adhered either directly or indirectly (with tape, glue or other means) to the card. Pills, tablets and capsules are arranged in an array or in a circular or oval fashion, corresponding to time of ingestion. The side panels may have sleeves or pockets, when needed by the user, containing salves, patches, ointments and other pharmaceutical products. The card has printed on it the name of the user, the day and date for which it is to be used, the timing and quantity and amount of each dose, the name of the prescribing physician, the appropriate identification information for pharmacy and prescription, as well as pertinent therapeutic information.

[0019] The method of the present invention also includes, in a most preferred embodiment, “web based” information input, database management, and robotics designed to fill each medication distribution system card or system with medications and supplements as well as to orchestrate the printing of each system. Security will be engineered at all levels of software design and product production.

Problems solved by technology

A major problem confronted by people, particularly the disabled, chronically ill, home bound and psychiatric patients on multiple drugs, is the implementation of the necessary drug regimen in a safe, accurate and a timely manner.

Errors and misuse can undermine the effectiveness of these drugs and can indeed be dangerous to the patient, causing fatal results and costing billions of dollars annually to our national health care system.

The effort to keep track of such a complexity of information can be confusing and threatening to the patient, causing distress and often prolonging recovery.

Charts currently in use by medical professionals are often difficult for anyone outside the profession to read and understand.

Many patients are already disquieted simply by being ill and can become additionally concerned and / or confused with the added burden of having to follow the doctor's orders.

Plastic box containers work only for those using relatively few medications; they do not accommodate a large multiplicity of medications, for example, 6 to 12 to be taken several times daily, 7 days a week, and of course the medication must be in pill form to be placed in the slots of the plastic containers.

Systems such as these are not useful for medications that are sensitive to light or air; neither are they practical for the use of patches, salves, liquid medications or medications that need to be refrigerated.

The plastic box containers do not reinforce the name of the medication, the dosage, the usage or indication, and any pertinent information about the medication.

In such a case it has been found that the devices to assist the user in taking the dosage are either not available or are not alterable to vary the dispensing time schedule in response to certain conditions which may require a different regimen.

But this pill dispenser does not suggest any system for storing the medication before use except manually by the user or someone for him, which is not free from error.

But this medication board does not guarantee an accurate ingestion of medication as errors in scheduling, refilling, and marking are quite a possibility.

Additionally, this medication board becomes very vulnerable to user error, especially when the patient is himself administering the medication and is partially or more or less debilitated or infirm.

However, the calendar does not teach an automatic distribution system for the administration of drugs.

The scales have to be adjusted by the patients or the caretakers and the adjustment is subject to error.

However, this system involves associating the appearance of the drug with its name and strength, thereby enhancing the risks of improper administration of medication by the user.

It also creates the problem of reproduction of the visual depictions of the medications.

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