Smart packaging for improved medication regimen compliance

#The present disclosure relates to packaging in general, and, more particularly, to smart packaging.

#Adherence to prescribed medication regimen is central to achieving intended health outcome. However, it is well known in the industry that adherence is generally poor across various medications. As a result, intended health outcomes are compromised, placing cost on the healthcare system for remedial care. By way of example: The total direct cost of unintended pregnancy in 2010 is $11B. A publicly funded birth in 2010 cost $12,770. 51% of all U.S. births in 2010 were paid for by public insurance. Public insurance paid for 68% of the 1.5 million unplanned births in 2010, compared with 38% of planned birth. These numbers would be as if the U.S. federal and state governments spent ˜$336 on unintended pregnancies for every woman aged 15-44.

#Women of childbearing age use various forms of birth control, of which the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) is a common choice. Poor adherence to OCP regimens is the main cause of unintended pregnancy for women using OCP.

#FIG. 1A depicts a functional block diagram of a modular medicine case in accordance with an illustrative embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure.

#FIG. 1B depicts a schematic drawing of a perspective view of a blister card in accordance with the illustrative embodiment.

#FIG. 1C depicts a schematic drawing of a cross-sectional view of one tablet region of blister card 126.

#It should be noted that, although embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are described herein with respect to OCP as an exemplary application, concepts of the present disclosure are applicable to a wide range of other applications; therefore, the use of OCP should not be viewed as limiting the scope of the utility of the concepts described herein. Other examples of applications in which the smart packaging concepts of the present disclosure can be used include, without limitation, other forms of medication, non-medication products (e.g., vitamins, supplements, etc.), foodstuff, gum, beverages, toiletry and beauty care products, razor blades, consumer electronics, toner cartridges, toys, tools, etc. In other words, the teachings of the present disclosure are applicable to myriad product-tracking applications. In this Specification, “tablet” and “pill” are used interchangeably and are intended to include various form factors, sizes and compositions.

#FIG. 1A depicts a functional block diagram of a modular medicine case in accordance with an illustrative embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure. Case 100 includes electronics module 102, detection module 104, and universal interface 134. for joining the electronics and detection modules. Universal interface 132 includes electrical interface 106, mechanical interface 108, and latch 110. Case 100 is a modular smart case for tracking the state of blister card 126, which in the depicted example, is a 4×7 format OCP blister card. Although case 100 is a modular case that includes separable electronics and detection modules, the teachings of the present disclosure are applicable to smart cases having electronics and detection modules that are not separable and the description of a modular case should not be considered limiting to the scope of the appended claims.

#FIG. 1B depicts a schematic drawing of a perspective view of a blister card in accordance with the illustrative embodiment.