CALENDAR-ORIENTED PILL DISPENSER

摘要

A method and apparatus to store and aid in the dispensing of calendar-oriented drugs (23) in which the apparatus comprises a carrier (20) containing a plurality of pill-containing enclosures (24), the enclosures (24) arranged in rows. Numerical and/or alphanumerical indicia (44) are associated with the enclosures (24) so that each enclosure (24) is associated with only one day in a calendar month (44). One or more additional enclosures in different rows (33) may also be associated with the same calendar date. Corresponding indicia on the reverse side of the carrier aid in the determination of which enclosure(s) (24) to open. In this way the user can easily determine and verify that the proper enclosure(s) (24) has been opened. The package also provides a visual indication of the calendar days for which pills have not been used by the patient and in this way provides patient compliance information to the physician prescribing such drugs. The dispensing apparatus (20) is particularly suited to the administration of calendar-oriented prescription drugs for the treatment of menopausal symptoms.