A unit dose medication compliance monitoring and reporting apparatus and system
that includes a dispenser shell formed with dose compartments. A retainer sheet
affixed to the shell seals each compartment and partially bursts upon dispensing.
A sensor network and monitoring and reporting circuitry records dispensing times
and determines an average time interval, which can be reported with other data
on an integral data display. The system can thereby monitor and report patient
compliance with prescription regimens. Additional data can be recorded and displayed
for augmented patient compliance assistance and analysis, which data can include
customized informational messages, telephone and other patient support contact
information, unit doses dispensed and remaining, reminder alarms, identification
data, prescription regimens, among other data. In myriad variations and alternative
preferred configurations, the devices and systems have demonstrated efficacy in
minimalist to complex monitoring and reporting applications ranging from routine
prescription monitoring to detailed clinical trial assessments.