Group Members: Claire Ng, Rinni Sutanto and Victor Carrano

Twist and Lock Drug Dispenser

A significant healthcare problem in the United States today is the nation’s opioid epidemic.  According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there were more than 49,000 overdose deaths involving opioids in 2017.  Much of the problem has been fueled by a massive, nationwide demand for prescription drugs, with millions of prescriptions being written each year.  Patients who obtain these prescribed medications often become addicted and fail to adhere to the appropriate dosages set by their doctors or pharmacists.  The epidemic has impacted people of all ages, including our youth, as child opioid overdoses have reportedly doubled over the past 14 years. This uptick in child overdoses can be attributed to children easily gaining access to prescription drugs belonging to their parents. The availability of prescription drugs combined with a lack of safeguards has created a recipe for abuse and accidental disasters. The ongoing epidemic presents the need for a method of providing medication to patients in a manageable and secure way that mitigates the risk of intentional or accidental overdose.

Studies in scientific literature as well as government sponsored public health websites have reported the increase of drug overdose, both intentional and accidental. For example, studies have shown that young adults ages eighteen to twenty-five are at greater risk of abusing drugs, A study published in Addictive Behaviors, psychology journal, has indicated that young adults are a predominant group at risk of drug abuse due to factors like college (Chinnek et.al 2018). Another study published in the journal Medicine & Health Rhode Island analyzes the different ways in which accidental overdoses occur, and which demographics are affected. According to the study, children are at the highest risk group of accidental overdoses, with children having the highest amount of hospitalizations due to accidental ingestion of drugs (Green et. al. 2011). This information is significant because it determines the demographics our healthcare innovation targets, as well as the importance of why this innovation is needed.

The healthcare innovation is a pill/drug dispenser that controls dosage and the amount of drugs dispensed. It would be a bottle for pills, but the technology would be in the cap of the bottle. First, the cap will only be able to be twisted in one direction as to dispense one pill per turn.  The cap will lock itself according to dosage set by the pharmacist using telemedicine technology. For example, if the dosage is 2 pills per 24 hours, the clock on the cap will dispense only two pills, and will lock for the next 24 hours. There will also be a fingerprint component to the cap to allow only the patient to access it.

Due to the health and safety precautions this device holds, it can be implemented throughout all pharmaceuticals and healthcare centers when prescribing drugs to patients. It ensures safety in order to prevent overdosing and drug abuse. This would not be used for commercial purposes, but will be vital to healthcare professionals and pharmacists when prescribing and handing out designated drugs. In terms of function, this device is simple. It allows for quick and efficient use. With a simple twist and lock, this device will surely be attractive to healthcare professionals and pharmacists alike. Although this device is not intended for commercial use, the probability of taking the patent and incorporating it into other industries can be likely. Such ideas can use this lock and timed tool for diets and other health-restricted needs. Because this device focuses on health and safety issues, the likeliness of this product to be successful is high and profitable. It’s universal to all ages and needs as well as simple and reliable to use.

This pill dispenser is sure to become one of the most effective ways of preventing drug overdose and drug abuse. Because of its assurance to be controlled by the healthcare professional and or pharmacist, the time and dosage of such drugs shall be accurate and safe. With the fingerprint safety precaution, this device only further ensures that the prescribed drugs are being handled and taken by the prescribed patient. This device will innovate and improve the way prescription drugs are handled and distributed through pharmacies and other medical facilities.