Methods and systems to secure control and enhance medication adherence

摘要

Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods to provide safe, secure and accurate point-to-point delivery of prescription and non-prescription drugs in the long-term home care or ambulatory care environment. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide for a low-cost, easy-to-use system comprised of a secure drug dispensing unit and medication enclosure combined with wireless connectivity and software based on smart mobile phone technology. Such systems and methods, referred to herein as a Secure, Control, and Enhance Medication Adherence (SCEMA) system, can mitigate the aforementioned risks associated with the use of prescription and non-prescription drugs. These risks can be significantly reduced for the elderly in the homecare environment, as well as the general public, without disrupting, or a significantly increasing the cost, to the existing prescription and non-prescription drug distribution infrastructure. In addition, the SCEMA system can provide a powerful platform for drug research.

主权项

1. A medication dispensing unit comprising:
a processor; a memory coupled with and readable by the processor and storing a set of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a plurality of functions controlling the dispensing of medication from the medication dispensing unit; one or more wireless transceivers coupled with the processor, wherein the medication dispensing unit is adapted to accept one or more removable, secure medication cartridges preloaded with medication packets and dispense the medication packets from the one or more medication cartridges under control of the plurality of functions, wherein each medication cartridge comprises a fluid reservoir within the medication cartridge, wherein the fluid reservoir stores a liquid, wherein the medication packets are constructed of a material that dissolves when exposed to the liquid, and wherein the fluid reservoir ruptures when the medication cartridge is subjected to tampering.