Systems and methods for medication management

Abstract

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for medication disposal, e.g., at a medical institution or a pharmacy. For example, a system for medical disposal can comprise a receiving unit configured to receive a medication from a user. The medication can be an unused or leftover portion of a prescribed medication for a subject in need thereof. The system can comprise one or more sensors operatively coupled to the receiving unit. The one or more sensors can be configured to detect the medication received by the receiving unit. The system can comprise an analysis engine operatively coupled to the one or more sensors. The analysis engine can be configured to determine a score indicative of a management of the prescribed medication by the user, based at least in part on (i) the detection of the medication received.

1 . A system for medication disposal, comprising:
 a receiving unit configured to receive a medication from a user, wherein the medication is an unused or leftover portion of a prescribed medication for a subject in need thereof;   one or more sensors operatively coupled to the receiving unit, wherein the one or more sensors are configured to detect the medication received by the receiving unit and generate sensor data; and   an analysis engine operatively coupled to the one or more sensors, wherein the analysis engine is configured to determine a risk or probability of diversion of the prescribed medication based at least in part on (i) the sensor data.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the risk or probability is quantified in a scoring system comprising: an alphabetical range, a numerical range, a color range, or symbols. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the determining the score is based at least in part on (ii) one or more of the following: (1) a number of the prescribed medication, (2) a weight of the prescribed medication, (3) a volume of the prescribed medication, (4) a chemical content of the prescribed medication, (5) a date or time of retrieval of the prescribed medication from a source of the prescribed medication, or (6) a date or time of administration of at least a portion of the prescribed medication to the subject. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the medication is provided in one or more members selected from the group consisting of: of tablets, capsules, pills, powders, granules, dragees, gels, slurries, ointments, solutions suppositories, solutions, inhalants, aerosols, transdermal patches, modifications thereof, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the medication is provided in one or more of the tablets, capsules, or pills. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the medication is provided in one or more of the solutions. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the medication is provided in one or more of the transdermal patches. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the detecting the medication comprises measuring one or more members of the following: (1) a number of the medication, (2) a weight of the medication, (3) a volume of the medication, (4) an optical property of the medication, or (5) a chemical content of the medication. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors or a different sensor is configured to scan a label on a surface of the medication to obtain an additional information about the medication. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the medication is contained in a medication handling unit when deposited to the receiving unit by the user. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more sensors or a different sensor is configured to scan a label on a surface of the medication handling unit to obtain an additional information about the medication. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the analysis engine is configured to retrieve from a database: (1) a date or time of retrieval of the prescribed medication from a source of the prescribed medication or (2) a date or time of administration of at least a portion of the prescribed medication to the subject. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors or a different sensor of the system is configured to determine or authenticate an identity of the user. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors or a different sensor of the system is configured to record an image or a video of the user while the user is disposing the medication to the receiving unit. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors or a different sensor of the system is configured to detect a biometric data of the user, and wherein the analysis engine is configured to determine a health condition of the user. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a storage unit configured to collect at least the medication from the receiving unit. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the analysis engine is further configured to report the score to one or more of the following: (1) the user, (2) a supervisor of the user, or (3) an administrator of the system. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is operatively coupled to an automated dispensing cabinet to store and dispense at least the prescribed medication. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises an automated dispensing cabinet to store and dispense at least the prescribed medication. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing that comprises at least the receiving unit and the one or more sensors. 
     
     
         24 .- 46 . (canceled)