Sensitive drug distribution system and method

Abstract

A drug distribution system and method utilizes a central pharmacy and database to track all prescriptions for a sensitive drug. Information is kept in the database regarding all physicians allowed to prescribe the sensitive drug, and all patients receiving the drug. Abuses are identified by monitoring data in the database for prescription patterns by physicians and prescriptions obtained by patients. Further verification is made that the physician is eligible to prescribe the drug by consulting a separate database, and optionally whether any actions are taken against the physician. Multiple controls beyond those for normal drugs are imposed on the distribution depending on the sensitivity of the drug.

1 . A computer-implemented system for treatment of a narcoleptic patient with a prescription drug that has a potential for misuse, abuse or diversion, comprising:
 one or more computer memories for storing a single computer database having a database schema that contains and interrelates prescription fields, patient fields, and prescriber fields;   said prescription fields, contained within the database schema, storing prescriptions for the prescription drug with the potential for abuse, misuse or diversion, wherein the prescription drug is sold or distributed by a company that obtained approval for distribution of the prescription drug;   said patient fields, contained within the database schema, storing information sufficient to identify the narcoleptic patient for whom the company's prescription drug is prescribed;   said prescriber fields, contained within the database schema, storing information sufficient to identify a physician or other prescriber of the company's prescription drug and information to show that the physician or other prescriber is authorized to prescribe the company's prescription drug;   a data processor for processing a database query that operates over all data related to the prescription fields, prescriber fields, and patient fields for the prescription drug;   said database query identifying information in the prescription fields and patient fields for reconciling inventory of the prescription drug before the shipments for a day or other time period are sent.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data processor is configured to process a second database query that identifies: whether the narcoleptic patient is a cash payer and a physician that is interrelated with the narcoleptic patient through the schema of the single computer database;
 said identifying by said second database query being an indicator of a potential misuse, abuse or diversion by the narcoleptic patient and being used to notify the physician that is interrelated with the narcoleptic patient through the schema of the single computer database.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data processor is configured to process a second database query that identifies a potential misuse, abuse or diversion by the narcoleptic patient. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the data processor selectively blocks shipment of the prescription drug to the patient based upon said identifying by the database query. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the prescription drug is shipped to the narcoleptic patient if no potential misuse, abuse or diversion is found for the narcoleptic patient. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the single computer database is an exclusive database that receives data associated with all patients being prescribed the prescription drug that are associated with the company. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein an exclusive central pharmacy controls the single computer database. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the prescription drug comprises gamma hydroxyl butyrate (GHB). 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the single computer database comprises a relational database. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , where the single computer database is distributed among multiple computers provided the database query that operates over all data relating to said prescription fields, prescriber fields, and patient fields for the prescription drug. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data processor is configured to initiate an inquiry to a prescriber when one or more prescription fields, patient fields, or prescriber fields are incomplete in the computer database. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data processor is configured to process a second database query that identifies an expected date for a refill of the prescription drug. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the expected date is based on a prescription for the prescription drug and a date of a previous filling of the prescription. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the prescription identifies an amount of the prescription drug to be provided and a schedule for consumption of the prescription drug. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the database schema further contains and interrelates insurance fields, wherein the insurance fields, contained within the database schema, store information sufficient to identify an insurer to be contacted for payment for prescription drugs of an associated patient. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the single computer database is used to identify a current pattern or an anticipated pattern of abuse of the prescription drug; wherein the current pattern or the anticipated pattern are identified using periodic reports generated from the single computer database. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein one or more controls for distribution of the prescription drug are selected based on the identified pattern. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more controls are submitted to an approval body for approval of distribution of the prescription drug. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein additional controls for distribution are selected in a negotiation with an approval body to garner the approval of distribution. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the data processor is used to add further controls until approval is obtained. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the approval body is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein current inventory is cycle counted and reconciled with database quantities before shipments for a day or other time period are sent.