A method and apparatus for reminding patients to take medication and to improve compliance with drug precriptions

摘要

This invention concerns the design of apparatus to improve the compliance of patients with drug medication regimes. This is achieved through the use of trays (Fig3) of medication and coded instructions that are prepared by pharmacists. It also includes an electronic holder for these trays which performs timing functions and which allows and encourages the use of programmed reminders, the detection of if and when medication has been taken, and warnings if medication has been missed or if a wrong medication has been taken. In one version of the apparatus, the medication may be automatically dispensed at the appropriate time by the electronic release of a film sealing the contents of an individual compartment. LEDs 2 may light the appropriate compartment in a tray.