NL2031830B1

NL2031830B1 - Alert Window

Info

Publication number: NL2031830B1
Application number: NL2031830A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Malene Nieuwenhuijse Ellen
Original assignee: Sandoz B V
Priority date: 2022-05-11
Filing date: 2022-05-11
Publication date: 2023-11-17

Abstract

Medicine packaging comprising a block shaped box including six walls that enclose a space, wherein the enclosed space comprises a medicine, preferably a plurality of pills provided on a medicine carrier, wherein the medicine packing further comprises an alert card carrying information to alert a medical professional about the active substances and corresponding side-effects of the medicine, wherein one of the walls comprises a cut-out; and wherein the alert card is arranged between the medicine and the cut- out such that the cut-out is substantially covered by the alert card from inside the medicine packaging.

Description

P132949NL00

Title: Alert Window

The invention generally relates to medicine packaging, and in particular to medicine packaging comprising an alert card.

Medicine packaging is commonly used in the process of getting a medicine from a pharmaceutical producer via a medical professional or pharmacy to a patient. Such a medicine packaging can be shaped as a box, typically a rectangular box made out of cardboard. The patient then opens the medicine packaging and retrieve the medicine contained in it.

In order to prevent falsified medicines inside the medicine packaging, medicine packaging needs to comply to strict requirements. For example, in Europe the Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) states that the packaging must contain an unique identifier and an anti-tampering provision on the packaging. The unique identifier allows for registration and monitoring of individual medicine packaging, the anti-tampering device shows if the packaging has been opened at any time between leaving the pharmaceutical company and arriving and / or being provided to the patient.

For example, after the pharmaceutical company has placed medicine in the packaging, the medicine packaging is closed. Next, a seal, such as for example a piece of plastic, is attached to the medicine packaging such that the packaging cannot be opened without breaking the seal or destroying the medicine packaging. In other words, the medicine is sealingly enclosed inside the medicine packaging when leaving the pharmaceutical company until it is opened by the medical professional or the patient.

If the active substance of a medicine can cause increased risk of complications with medical procedures, an alert card is added to the medicine packaging. An alert card comprises information about the active substance of the medicine to inform a third party, for example a medical specialist, about the presence of the active substance inside the patient and the complications it may cause in medical procedures. Such an alert card is crucial in case of emergencies when a patient is not able to tell a medical specialist, e.g. an E.M.T. what medicine they are using, as a medical specialist might not be aware and a chance exists a medical procedure will be performed with increased risk of complications. Alert cards are typically credit card shaped, so that patients can carry them in a credit card slot of their wallet cellphone cover.

While it is very important for a patient to carry the alert card to alert third parties to their medicine use, in practice compliance 1s low and alert cards are often left unused. Patients easily overlook the alert card in the medicine package, and as a result do not take it out and place it in their wallets.

The invention aims to mitigate at least some of the above mentioned drawback. In particular, the invention aims to provide a medicine packaging that assists to increase the patient’s compliance to carry the alert card.

Thereto, the invention provides for a medicine packaging comprising a block shaped box including six walls that enclose a space, wherein the enclosed space comprises a medicine, preferably a plurality of pills provided on a medicine carrier, wherein the medicine packing further comprises an alert card carrying information to alert a medical professional about the active substances and corresponding side-effects of the medicine, wherein one of the walls comprises a cut-out and wherein the alert card is arranged between the medicine and the cut-out such that the cut-out is substantially covered by the alert card from inside the medicine packaging.

By providing the cutout and covering it with the alert card, the enclosure is kept intact but the patient's attention is drawn to the alert card as he/she can directly see it through the cutout. The open aperture provided by the cutout spikes the patient’s curiosity, and invites him/her to pick at the alert card and to try to remove it with a finger. Once removed, the patient will likely see the alert card as a desirable item, and shall be more compliant in putting it in a credit card slot of an item that they carry on their person.

Placement of the alert card in the enclosed space between the cutout and the medicine allows the medicine to stay shielded, and prevents unintended egress or entry of medicines. The visibility of the alert card through the open aperture of the cutout also draws attention to the presence of the alert card in the package to other persons, e.g. a pharmacist or a family member, that may draw the patient's attention to the alert card and the need to carry it on his/her person. The aperture formed by the cut-out in the wall of the medicine package thus forms an alert window to alert persons to the presence of an alert card inside the medicine package.

At least one of the six walls can comprise an access opening dimensioned such that the medicine can be removed from the enclosed space via the access opening, and a covering arrangement arranged to be moved from a first position in which the covering arrangement substantially covers the access opening and a second position in which the covering arrangement leaves the access opening substantially. In order to retrieve the medicine from the medicine packaging, an access opening can be provided in at least one of the walls. To prevent the medicine from unintentionally leaving the enclosed space, a covering arrangement such as a flap, can be provided. The flap can be moved, or folded, to a first position in which the access opening is substantially sealed off. When a patient wants to take medicine from the medicine packaging, the covering arrangement can be moved to a second position, in which it leaves the access opening substantially free, so that medicine can be removed from the packaging via the access opening.

Preferably, the covering arrangement can be moved back from the second position into the first position. If a patient wants to store the medicine away the medicine can then be stored in the packaging again and the covering arrangement can be moved from the second position back to the first position.

The six walls can be substantially rectangular, preferably such that each wall of the six walls has an identical corresponding wall thereby forming a set of three pairs of walls. Each pair of walls can be arranged substantially parallel to each other, thereby forming a block shaped box.

The medicine can be provided as a plurality of pills provided on a medicine carrier such as a plastic strip. The plastic strip can be dimensioned such that it is larger than the cut-out, preventing the plastic strip from leaving the enclosed area via the cut-out.

The cut-out can be dimensioned to allow passage of a tip of a finger. This way, through ingress into the enclosed space with a fingertip, the patient can effectuate removal of the alert cart from the package relatively easily. By dimensioning the cut-out to allow passage of only a tip of a single finger, the aperture of the cutout can be kept relatively small, e.g. less than e.g. 4cm2 or less than a square inch, to prevent unintentional removal of the alert card.

The alert card can releasably connected to at least one of the six walls, preferably to an inside thereof. This way, the enclosure may be reliably kept intact relatively easily. The releasable connection may be provided with dots of adhesive that may become unstuck upon pressure being exerted onto the alert card with a finger. The alert card can be connected to the inside of the wall prior when the box is formed, but can conveniently be attached to the blank prior tot it being folded into a box

The alert card can be constructed out of cardboard or plastic. This way, the alert card can de relatively thin yet stiff. The alert information on the card can be provided using conventional lettering, but can as an alternative or in addition be provided as a chip or QR code.

Alength and a width of the alert card can substantially comply with the ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1 standard. This way, the alert card can fit most credit card slots, which facilitates compliance. In addition, the dimensions of the alert card allow secure shielding of a cutout dimensioned to allow passage of a single fingertip.

At least one of the six walls can comprise an unique medicine identification mark uniquely indicative for said medicine package, wherein 5 the unique medicine identification mark preferably comprises at least information indicative about the medicine, a batch number, a use-before- date and an unique serial number.

The medicine packaging can further comprise a tampering seal for providing evidence if the packages has been tampered with, in particular if the covering arrangement has been moved from the first position to the second position. The tampering seal may also partially or wholly cover the whole package, including the cutout, e.g. a transparent thin plastic sleeve.

The six walls can be constructed out of cardboard, and may e.g. folded form a flat carboard blank that is cut and provided with scoring lines for folding using a die.

Further advantageous aspects of the invention are set out in the description and appended claims.

The technical features described in the paragraphs can be isolated from the context, and the isolated technical features from the different paragraphs can be combined. Such combinations are herewith specifically disclosed in this description.

The invention will be further elucidated on the basis of a non- limiting exemplary embodiment, which is represented in the drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a medicine packaging;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic overview of a planar blank of a medicine packaging.

It is noted that the drawings are only schematic representations of a preferred embodiment of the invention. In the drawings, identical or corresponding parts are represented with the same reference numerals.

Referring to Fig. 1, a medicine packaging 1 comprising a block shaped box that includes six walls 2 that encloses a space 3 1s depicted. The enclosed space 3 comprises a medicine 4, in the shown embodiment the medicine is a plurality of pills 5 provided on a medicine carrier 6.

Furthermore, the medicine packaging 1 comprises an alert card 7 which carries information to alert a medical professional about the active substances and corresponding side-effects of the medicine 4, e.g. a blood thinning medicine comprising anti-coagulation agent that may cause risk of unstoppable bleeding of a patient during surgery. One of the walls 2 comprises a cut-out 8. The cut-out 8 forms an aperture and is created by the removal of wall material, e.g. in a die stamping process. In the shown embodiment, the walls 2 are made of cardboard and thus the cut-out 8 is created by the removal of a portion of said cardboard.

The alert card 7 is arranged between the medicine 4 and the cut- out 8, such that the cut-out 8 is substantially covered by the alert card 7 from the inside of the medicine packaging 1. A patient will notice the alert card 7 in the cut-out 8 and is thereby invited, or incited to interact with the alert card 7. By substantially covering the cut-out 8, medicine 4 cannot be inserted or removed from the enclosed space 3 via the cut-out 8. By dimensioning the cut-out 8 such that a tip of a finger is allowed passage, the patient is invited to further interact with the alert card 7 by touching, pushing and / or scratching the alert card 7. For example, the alert card may be spot glued to the inside of the wall to form a releasable connection therewith, and may be broken loose from the wall by pushing on it with a fingertip via the aperture formed by the cut-out 8. Referring to Fig. 2, a planar blank of a medicine packaging is shown that has been stamped from a sheet using a die. During stamping, the die also scores fold lines and stamps out the cut-out 8. The alert card may conveniently be spot glued to the blank to cover the cut-out 8 before it is folded into the package, i.e. while itis still in flat state.

In order to remove the medicine 4 from the enclosed space 3, one of the six walls 2 comprises an access opening 9. The access opening 9 is dimensioned such that the medicine 4 can be removed via the access opening 9. In the shown embodiment, the access opening 9 has substantially the same dimensions as the corresponding wall 2. In addition, the packaging 1 comprises a covering arrangement 10 that is arranged to be moved from a first position, in which the covering arrangement substantially covers the access opening, and a second position in which the covering arrangement 10 leaves the access opening 9 substantially. In the shown example, the covering arrangement 10 is a flap of the packaging 1, which in the first position is folded upwards to close off the access opening 9 and in the second position is folded outwards and thereby providing access to the enclosed space 3. Preferably, the covering arrangement 10 is arranged to move from the second position to the first position. In the shown embodiment, the folded flap can be moved from the second position, or open position, back to the first position, or the closed position, by folding the flap back. This allows the patient to store the medicine 4 back in the packaging 1.

In the shown embodiment, one wall comprises a unique medicine identification mark 11. The mark 11 is indicative for the medicine package 1, and comprises information indicative of the medicine 4 in the enclosed space, a batch number, a before-use date and an unique serial number. The information allows for identification of the medicine package 1 to assist with preventing counterfeit medication. To further assist with preventing counterfeit medication or other tampering of the medicine package 1, the medicine package comprises a tampering seal 12. The tampering seal provides evidence if the medicine package 1 has been tampered with, more in particular if the covering arrangement 10 has been moved from the first, closed, position to the second, open, position. In the shown example this is done using a plastic tampering seal 12 that 1s attached to the covering arrangement 10 and an adjacent wall 2 of the medicine packaging 1. In order to open the packaging, the plastic tampering seal 12 needs to be destroyed or removed, in order to allow the covering arrangement 10, or flap, to be folded to an open position.

The alert card 7 provided inside the medicine packaging 1 is releasably connected to one of the walls 2. In the shown embodiment this is done by providing an adhesive between the alert card 7 and the wall 2.

Furthermore, the alert card has a length and a width that substantially complies with the ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1 standard, e.g. about 3.37 inches (85.6 mm) in width, about 2.125 inches (53.98 mm) in height and about 0.0625 inches (1.588 mm) in thickness. This standard is applied to, for example, bank cards, and as a result the alert card 7 will have dimensions that substantially corresponds to the dimensions of a bank card or credit card.

This allows the alert card to be stored in the wallet of a patient. In the shown embodiment, the alert card is constructed out of cardboard, but could also have been constructed out of plastic.

As for the scope of this disclosure, it is pointed out that technical features which have been specifically described may be susceptible of a functional generalization. Furthermore, it is pointed out that - as far as not explicitly indicated - such technical features can be seen separately from the context of the given exemplary embodiment, and furthermore can be seen separately from the technical features with which they cooperate in the context of the example.

As for the scope of protection, it is pointed out that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment represented here, and that many variants are possible. For example, the alert card may be inserted to the medicine in folded state, and may be unconnected to the wall, or may be releasably connected to the wall via slits or folds. Such variations shall be apparent to the person skilled in the art, and are considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

ConclusiesConclusions

1. Medicijnverpakking omvattende een blokvormige doos met zes wanden die een ruimte omsluiten, waarbij de omsloten ruimte een medicijn omvat, bij voorkeur een meervoudig aantal pillen voorzien op een medicijndrager, waarbij de medicijnverpakking voorts een waarschuwingskaart omvat die informatie draagt om een medisch deskundige te waarschuwen over de actieve bestandsdelen en corresponderende bijwerkingen van het medicijn, waarbij een van de wanden een uitsnede omvat, en waarbij de waarschuwingskaart tussen het medicijn en de uitsnede is geplaatst zodat de uitsnede in hoofdzaak wordt bedekt door de waarschuwingskaart aan de binnenzijde van de medicijnverpakking.1. Medicine package comprising a block-shaped box with six walls enclosing a space, wherein the enclosed space contains a medicine, preferably a plurality of pills provided on a medicine carrier, wherein the medicine package further comprises a warning card that carries information to warn a medical expert about the active ingredients and corresponding side effects of the medicine, wherein one of the walls comprises a cut-out, and wherein the warning card is placed between the medicine and the cut-out so that the cut-out is substantially covered by the warning card on the inside of the medicine package.

2. Medicijnverpakking volgens conclusie 1, waarbij ten minste een van de zes wanden een toegangsopening omvat die zodanig is gedimensioneerd dat het medicijn via de toegangsopening uit de omsloten ruimte kan worden verwijderd, en een afdekinrichting ingericht om te bewegen tussen een eerste positie waarin de afdekinrichting de toegangsopening in hoofdzaak afdekt en een tweede positie waarbij de afdekinrichting de toegangsopening in hoofdzaak vrij laat.2. Medicine package according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the six walls comprises an access opening that is dimensioned such that the medicine can be removed from the enclosed space via the access opening, and a covering device adapted to move between a first position in which the covering device substantially covers the access opening and a second position in which the covering device leaves the access opening substantially free.

3. Medicijnverpakking volgens conclusie 2, waarbij de afdekinrichting is ingericht om van de tweede positie naar de eerste positie te bewegen.3. Medicine package according to claim 2, wherein the covering device is adapted to move from the second position to the first position.

4. Medicijnverpakking volgens conclusie 1 of 2, waarbij de uitsnede is gedimensioneerd om passage van een vingertop toe te laten.4. Medicine package according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cutout is dimensioned to allow passage of a fingertip.

5. Medicijnverpakking volgens een der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij ten minste een van de zes wanden een uniek medicijnidentificatiekenmerk omvat dat uniek indicatief is voor de medicijnverpakking, waarbij het unieke medicijnidentificatiekenmerk bij voorkeur ten minste informatie indicatief voor het medicijn, een ladingnummer, een houdbaarheidsdatum en een uniek serienummer omvat.5. Medicine packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the six walls comprises a unique medicine identification feature that is uniquely indicative of the medicine packaging, wherein the unique medicine identification feature preferably contains at least information indicative of the medicine, a batch number, an expiration date and a unique serial number included.

6. Medicijnverpakking volgens een der voorgaande conclusies, voorts omvattende een knoeizegel om bewijzen dat er met de verpakking is geknoeid, in het bijzonder of de afdekinrichting van de eerste positie naar de tweede positie 1s bewogen.A medicine package according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a tampering seal to provide evidence that the package has been tampered with, in particular whether the cover device has been moved from the first position to the second position.

7. Medicijnverpakking volgens een der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de zes wanden van karton zijn gemaakt.7. Medicine packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the six walls are made of cardboard.

8. Medicijnverpakking volgens een der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij een lengte en breedte van de waarschuwingskaart in hoofdzaak voldoen aan de ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1 standaard.8. Medicine packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a length and width of the warning card substantially comply with the ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1 standard.

9. Medicijnverpakking volgens een der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de waarschuwingskaart losmaakbaar verbonden is aan ten minste een van de zes wanden, bij voorkeur aan een binnenkant daarvan.9. Medicine packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the warning card is detachably connected to at least one of the six walls, preferably to an inside thereof.

10. Medicynverpakking volgens een der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de waarschuwingskaart van karton of plastic is gemaakt.10. Medicine packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the warning card is made of cardboard or plastic.