Pill organizer
{{Short description|Container for medications}}
A pill organiser (or pill organizer), pill container, dosette box, pillcase or pillbox is a multicompartment compliance aid for storing scheduled doses of medications. Pill organisers usually have square-shaped compartments for each day of the week, although other more compact and discreet versions have come to market, including cylindrical and pen-shaped cases.{{cite book|last1=Lipsky|first1=Martin S.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4iSoMzkwStMC&q=%22pill+organizer%22&pg=PA244|title=American Medical Association Guide to Preventing and Treating Heart Disease|last2=Mendelson|first2=Marla|last3=Havas|first3=Stephen|last4=Miller|first4=Michael|date=10 December 2007|publisher=Wiley|isbn=9780470083390|access-date=April 10, 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-living/0612/not-taking-your-medicine-on-schedule-find-the-right-reminder.aspx |title=Not Taking Your Medicine on Schedule?|work= Everyday Health |accessdate=June 12, 2012}} Some organisers have sections corresponding to times of the day. Pill organisers are viewed as a way to prevent or reduce medication errors on the part of the patient, though evidence of effectiveness is not strong and they have been linked to medication errors.{{cite news |title=Think outside the box: replacing multicompartment compliance aids |url=https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/20206080.article |accessdate=17 March 2019 |publisher=Pharmaceutical Journal |date=8 February 2019}}{{Dead link|date=October 2023}}
The first pill organizer was invented by Phil Cherrin of Cherrin Brothers Corporation in Detroit, Michigan. The brothers patent was filed July 21, 1966, US-3432951-A, and approved on March 18, 1969. This patent for "a compartmented container made of clear plastic for use in dispensing medicinal pills at periodic intervals such as daily on a mistake-proof basis" has been cited as the first, seminal patent for all subsequent pill organizer patent filings.{{Cite web |last=Cherrin |first=Phil |date=March 18, 1969 |title=US Patent Office: US-3432951-A • COMPARTMENTED CONTAINER • CHERRIN PHIL ¶ 1969-03-18 |url=https://ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/3432951 |access-date=February 28, 2024 |website=United States Patent & Trademark Office}} Cherrin Brothers Corporation, a distributor of candy, tobacco and personal care paper products was a pioneer in the design of plastics for packaging consumables that preserved freshness and bundled multi-packs including but not limited to seminal patents for the clear invoice/packing slip envelope used by Fedex/UPS/USPS etc today as well as the adhesive tape dispenser. {{Cite web |last=Cherrin |first=Phil |date=April 1, 1975 |title=US Patent Office: US-3874893-A • Shipping documents device and method • Cherrin; Phil • 1975-04-01 |url=https://ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/3874893 |access-date=February 28, 2024 |website=United States Patent & Trademark Office}}{{Cite web |last=Cherrin |first=Phil |date=November 2, 1975 |title=US Patent Office: US-3989175-A • Dispenser for adhesive products • Cherrin; Phil • 1976-11-02 |url=https://ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/3989175 |access-date=February 28, 2024 |website=United States Patent & Trademark Office}}
Usage
Pill organisers are useful for all types of patients, including the elderly, those who have memory deficiencies, and those taking multiple medications as an aid in remembering to take proper doses of their medications in compliance with their doctor's recommended dose. They allow a patient to know whether or not they have taken a particular dose of their medication; if a pill still remains in its compartment, it is apparent that it has not yet been taken, whereas if it is missing, it has already been taken.{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X_z3FF5WSU4C&q=%22pill+organizer%22&pg=PA210 |title=Heart to Heart: A Personal Plan for Creating a Heart-Healthy Family: Your Guide to the Good Life|author=Mosca, Lori |date=2005|work= Health & Fitness|isbn=9780757302459|accessdate=April 10, 2011}}
Pill organisers often have various features to make them easier for special-needs patients to use, such as color-coding, Braille for the blind, or a locking mechanism to prevent double dosing.{{cite web|url=http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/Articles/Eyes-And-Vision/tools_and_techniques_for_visual_impairment/5/ |title=Tools and Techniques for Visual Impairment |page =5|website=Diabetes Self-Management |date=January 30, 2007 |accessdate=April 10, 2011}} Some organisers used for diabetes patients have sections for insulin and hypodermic syringes.
Some pharmacists will pre-load pills into pill organisers for their patients, as a convenient service.{{cite news|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2001788090_agedisease11m.html |title=Stakes high to help those with chronic diseases |work=Seattle Times |date=November 14, 2003 |accessdate=April 10, 2011}}
Electronic pill organisers
Electronic pill organisers, pill dispensers, and pill reminders have been developed that alert patients when their prescription medication, OTC medication, or daily food supplements must be taken. These devices have been credited with saving lives and saving money in the health care system.{{cite news|url=http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/124881.php |title=University Of Montreal Students Design Argus, A High-tech Pill Organiser - Could Help Save Lives And Money |work=Medical News Today |accessdate=2011-04-10}} Advanced models can be linked via the Internet to a medical facility, to aid in monitoring and reminding a patient to take his/her medications.{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/business/healthcare/articles/2009/08/30/new_gadgets_prod_people_to_remember_their_meds/ |title=New gadgets prod people to remember their meds |work=The Boston Globe |date=August 30, 2009 |accessdate=April 10, 2011 |first=Scott |last=Kirsner}}
References
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External links
- {{Commons category inline|Pill organizers|pill organizers}}