Storage of Ampoules Containing Pharmaceutical Formulations Using a Sealed Container Comprising an Oxygen Scavenger

Abstract

Ampoules made of plastics material and containing 0.5 to 5 ml of a pharmaceutical formulation are sealed, together with an oxygen scavenger, within a pouch.

1 . A sealed container comprising a plurality of ampoules containing up to 10 ml of a pharmaceutical formulation and an oxygen scavenger. 
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the ampoules contain a solution of an inhalation pharmaceutical in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the ampoules are made of plastics material and are manufactured by the blow-fill-seal method. 
   
   
       4 . (canceled) 
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1 , containing 10 or more ampoules. 
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the oxygen scavenger can absorb 20 to 2000 cc of oxygen. 
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is made of material comprising a metal or metal compound. 
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is made of material comprising aluminum. 
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is re-sealable. 
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is a pouch. 
   
   
       11 . A method of reducing oxidative degradation of the contents of a plurality of ampoules containing up to 10 ml of a pharmaceutical formulation, comprising sealing the ampoules in a container containing an oxygen scavenger. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the ampoules contain a solution of an inhalation pharmaceutical in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the ampoules are made of plastics material manufactured by the blow-fill-seal method. 
   
   
       14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the container comprises 10 or more ampoules. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the oxygen scavenger can absorb 20 to 2000 cc of oxygen. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the container is made of material comprising a metal or metal compound. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the container is made of material comprising aluminum. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the container is re-sealable. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the container is a pouch. 
   
   
       21 . (canceled) 
   
   
       22 . (canceled) 
   
   
       23 . A sealed pouch comprising:
 (i) 5 or more plastic ampoules containing up to 5 ml of an inhalation pharmaceutical in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and   (ii) an oxygen scavenger,   
     wherein the pouch is made of material comprising a metal or a metal compound and the oxygen scavenger can absorb 20 to 2,000 cc of oxygen.