Device and method for preventing the use of a compromised pharmaceutical that is stored in a vial or similar container

A method of preventing a person from accessing a container filled with a perishable product whose quality may have been compromised, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a cap assembly for said container, said cap assembly including an opening, wherein said perishable product can only be accessed through said opening, said cap assembly further including a mechanism for selectively obstructing said opening;
• detecting if said perishable product has been exposed to a harmful condition that may result in compromised quality, wherein said harmful condition is selected from a group consisting of exposure to a temperature outside an acceptable temperature range, high humidity and exposure to light;
• and
• automatically activating said mechanism in said cap assembly to obstruct said opening when said harmful condition has been detected.

A safety vial assembly, comprising:

• a vial container having an open neck;
• a volume of pharmaceutical product held within said vial container in liquid form, said pharmaceutical product being suitable for safe use within a predetermined period of time;
• a piercable barrier obstructing said open neck and isolating said pharmaceutical product in said vial container, wherein said piercable barrier is selectively piercable by the needle of a hypodermic syringe;
• a cap housing mounted to said vial over said piercable barrier, said cap housing defining an access opening through which said needle can directly access said piercable barrier;
• a clock circuit;
• at least one obstruction supported by said cap housing, wherein said at least one obstruction is positionable to a closed position where said at least one obstruction blocks said access opening in said cap housing;
• and
• a mechanism that moves said at least one obstruction to said closed position when said clock circuit detects when said predetermined period of time has passed.