Method and package for storing a pressurized container containing a drug

Abstract

A method and package for storing a pressurized container which is filled with a drug formulation at a predetermined pressure. The drug formulation includes a mixture of a drug and a propellant. The package which encloses the pressurized container substantially prevents ingression of water vapor and particulate matter into the package while permitting egression of the propellant which may leak from the pressurized container.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a drug formulation comprising a mixture of at least a drug and an HFA propellant;    a pressurized container filled with said drug formulation; and,    a pouch constructed from materials comprising a metallic foil layer and a moisture absorbing material.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the pressurized container is a metered dose inhaler.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the drug is albuterol sulfate.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the HFA propellant is 134a.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the moisture absorbing material is a desiccant.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the desiccant is in the form of a layer.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the pouch is impregnated with the desiccant.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the desiccant is in the form of a coating, lining, film or mesh.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the desiccant is a nylon.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the metallic foil layer is aluminum.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the aluminum foil layer has a thickness in the range of 9-25 μm.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the aluminum foil layer has a thickness of about 12.7 μm.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the pouch further includes a one-way valve to permit any propellant leaking from the pressurized container to egress from the pouch.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the pouch is vacuum sealed.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the pouch is purged with nitrogen gas.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a second desiccant within the pouch.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the desiccant is a material selected from the group consisting of nylon, silica gel, alumina, bauxite, anhydrous, calcium sulfate, water-absorbing clay, activated bentonite clay, a molecular sieve zeolite and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a drug formulation comprising a mixture of at least a drug and an HFA propellant;    a pressurized container filled with said drug formulation; and,    a pouch constructed from materials comprising a metallic layer and desiccant means for adsorbing moisture.