Method and apparatus for disposal of a pharmaceutical product blister card

Abstract

A pharmaceutical product supply including primary packaging (e.g., a blister card) having a plurality of receptacles and pharmaceutical product (e.g., one or more pills, capsules, etc.) enclosed within at least one of the receptacles. Heating the pharmaceutical product supply to at least an activation temperature of a heat-activated encapsulation material associated with the supply may encapsulate the pharmaceutical product to reduce the likelihood that the pharmaceutical product can thereafter be administered, and thereby facilitates disposal of the pharmaceutical product. In one embodiment, a tray of a primary packaging is constructed of the heat-activated encapsulation material. In another embodiment, primary packaging may be disposed within a cavity of secondary packaging (e.g., carton), and the heat-activated encapsulation material may be in the form of a layer that is also located within the cavity.

1 . A pharmaceutical product supply, comprising:
 pharmaceutical product packaging comprising a plurality of receptacles and a heat-activated encapsulation material, wherein said heat-activated encapsulation material melts at an activation temperature; and   pharmaceutical product enclosed within at least one of said plurality of receptacles, wherein heating said pharmaceutical product packaging to at least said activation temperature melts said heat-activated encapsulation material to at least substantially encapsulate said pharmaceutical product within said pharmaceutical product packaging.   
     
     
         2 . The pharmaceutical product supply of  claim 1 , wherein said pharmaceutical product packaging contacts said pharmaceutical product. 
     
     
         3 . The pharmaceutical product supply of  claim 1 , wherein said pharmaceutical product packaging comprises primary packaging. 
     
     
         4 . The pharmaceutical product supply of  claim 3 , wherein said primary packaging comprises a tray and a covering that is sealed to said tray, wherein said tray comprises said plurality of receptacles. 
     
     
         5 . The pharmaceutical product supply of  claim 4 , wherein said tray comprises a formed plastic tray. 
     
     
         6 . The pharmaceutical product supply of  claim 4 , wherein said covering is selected from the group consisting of a film, a foil, paper, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The pharmaceutical product supply of  claim 6 , wherein said covering is non-metallic. 
     
     
         8 . The pharmaceutical product supply of  claim 4 , wherein said covering is sealed to a surface of said tray that comprises said plurality of receptacles. 
     
     
         9 . The pharmaceutical product supply of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of said tray and said covering comprises said heat-activated encapsulation material. 
     
     
         10 . The pharmaceutical product supply of  claim 1 , wherein an entirety of said pharmaceutical product packaging is non-metallic. 
     
     
         11 . The pharmaceutical product supply of  claim 1 , wherein said pharmaceutical product packaging comprises a blister card. 
     
     
         12 . The pharmaceutical product supply of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a container, wherein said pharmaceutical product packaging is stored in said container.   
     
     
         13 . The pharmaceutical product supply of  claim 12 , wherein said pharmaceutical product packaging comprises primary packaging and wherein said container comprises secondary packaging. 
     
     
         14 . A pharmaceutical product supply, comprising:
 pharmaceutical product packaging comprising a plurality of receptacles;   pharmaceutical product enclosed within at least one of said plurality of receptacles; and   a sleeve disposable about said pharmaceutical product packaging and comprising a heat-activated encapsulation material, wherein heating said pharmaceutical product supply to at least an activation temperature of said heat-activated encapsulation material, when said pharmaceutical product packaging is disposed in said sleeve, melts said heat-activated encapsulation material to at least substantially encapsulate said pharmaceutical product within said pharmaceutical product packaging.   
     
     
         15 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A pharmaceutical product supply, comprising:
 pharmaceutical product packaging comprising a plurality of receptacles;   pharmaceutical product enclosed within at least one of said plurality of receptacles; and   a container comprising a heat-activated encapsulation material, wherein heating said pharmaceutical product supply to at least an activation temperature of said heat-activated encapsulation material, when said pharmaceutical product packaging is disposed in said container, melts said heat-activated encapsulation material to at least substantially encapsulate said pharmaceutical product within said pharmaceutical product packaging.   
     
     
         28 - 38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . A pharmaceutical product supply, comprising:
 pharmaceutical product packaging comprising a plurality of receptacles;   pharmaceutical product enclosed within at least one of said plurality of receptacles; and   a container comprising an openable cover, a latching mechanism for said cover, and a heat-activated encapsulation material, wherein heating said pharmaceutical product supply to at least an activation temperature of said heat-activated encapsulation material, when said pharmaceutical product packaging is disposed in said container, melts said heat-activated encapsulation material so as to come into contact with said latching mechanism.   
     
     
         40 - 50 . (canceled)