Nested Blister Pack Authenticators for Prescription Drug Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current prescription drug tracking systems are limited in scope, leading to inadequate compliance monitoring and authentication of medications, contributing to issues like the opioid epidemic, as they fail to accurately track medications from manufacturing to final use and struggle with counterfeit products.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving authenticators on blister packs, including an outside and inside authenticator with a universal unique identifier, encoded in 2-D barcodes or RFID, that are recorded in a database for authentication, allowing secure communication with end users and medical professionals to track medication adherence and authenticity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional tracking systems are used for prescription drugs, then the system complexity is low, but the traceability and authentication capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nested authentication by placing an inside authenticator within the blister pack cavity and an outside authenticator on the exterior surface. The inside authenticator contains a unique identifier that is recorded in a database, creating a nested verification system where the outer packaging protects and presents the inner authentication element, thereby enhancing reliability without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication system is segmented into distinct components: the blister pack structure, the inside authenticator embedded in the cavity, the outside authenticator on the exterior, and the centralized database. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, improving overall authentication capability while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design
2Reliability
If comprehensive tracking from manufacturing to final use is implemented, then medication traceability is improved, but the loss of time for authentication processes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The unique identifier for the inside authenticator is recorded in the database during the manufacturing process, before the medication reaches the patient. This preliminary action ensures that when authentication is needed at the point of use, the verification can be performed quickly by simply scanning and comparing against pre-recorded data, thereby improving traceability without significantly increasing authentication time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual tracking and authentication processes with automated scanning technology. The outside authenticator can be scanned using a scanner to quickly retrieve and verify information from the database, substituting time-consuming manual verification with rapid electronic authentication, thus improving traceability while minimizing time loss
3Reliability
If dual authenticators (inside and outside) are placed on the blister pack, then authentication reliability is enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inside authenticator is placed specifically in the cavity portion of the blister pack where it will be in direct contact with or near the medication, while the outside authenticator is positioned on the exterior surface for easy scanning. This local placement optimizes the function of each authenticator in its specific location, enhancing overall authentication reliability while following standard blister pack manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The blister pack structure serves multiple functions: it protects the medication, provides a platform for the inside authenticator in the cavity, and displays the outside authenticator on the exterior for scanning. By making the blister pack multi-functional, the patent enhances authentication reliability without requiring separate manufacturing processes, as the same packaging structure fulfills multiple roles
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances medication traceability from manufacturing to patient use, reduces diversion of prescription drugs, and improves compliance by providing secure authentication and adherence tracking, thereby addressing the limitations of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
encoded into a 2-D barcode, RFID, NFC or other radio frequency or electromagnetic spectrum emitting or reflective device
Implementation Method 2
encoded into a 2-D barcode, RFID, NFC or other radio frequency or electromagnetic spectrum emitting or reflective device
Implementation Method 3
receive scanned information from the outside or inside authenticators from an end user utilizing a third-party scanning tool
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for providing authentication of dispensed prescriptions include utilizing one or more authenticator indicia, wherein the authenticator indicia have a plurality of indicia components including unique identification number for associating a dose of medication in a database. The authenticator indicia are configured on dose containers, such as blister packs and pill packs, to be scannable by a third-party scanning tool. The scanned information can be received by an authentication communication system to establish authenticity and other information such as adherence and compliance information related to the dispensed prescriptions.