Drug Labeling

Abstract

Disclosed are systems and methods for enabling transfer of a drug from a first drug container to a second drug container including a drug identification component that recognizes a first drug container to retrieve drug identifying data for the drug, a storage medium that stores a site-specific database comprising attributes and associated values for a set of drugs including the drug in the first drug container, a processor that obtains the drug identifying data and the attributes and associated values for the drug and produces information about the drug using the drug identifying data and the attributes and associated values, a rules engine that applies one or more rules to the information about the drug to generate drug handling information, and an output unit that outputs markings comprising the drug handling information in human-readable or machine-readable form, or both, to be associated with the second container.

1 . A system for enabling transfer of a drug from a first drug container to a second drug container comprising:
 a drug identification component that retrieves drug identifying data for a drug in a first container,   a storage medium that stores a site-specific database comprising attributes and associated values for a set of drugs including the drug in the first drug container,   a processor that obtains the drug identifying data and the attributes and associated values for the drug and produces information about the drug using the drug identifying data and the attributes and associated values;   a rules engine that applies one or more rules to the information about the drug to generate drug handling information; and   an output unit that outputs markings comprising the drug handling information in human-readable or machine-readable form, or both, to be associated with the second container.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the drug identifying data is based on an National Drug Code (NDC) number. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the drug identifying data is based on one or more proprietary codes. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the drug identifying data is derived from a barcode affixed to or on the first drug container. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the drug identifying data is derived from an image of the first drug container. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the drug identifying data is derived from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag associated with the first drug container. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor communicates with a memory and the storage medium storing the site-specific database, wherein one or both of the memory and the storage medium are local to the system. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor communicates with a memory and the storage medium storing the site-specific database, wherein one or both of the memory and the storage medium are located remote from the system. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the markings are included on a data carrier for affixing on a syringe. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the markings are included on a data carrier for affixing on a vial. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the markings are included on a data carrier for affixing on an intravenous administration container. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the markings comprise information for controlling an intravenous pump or other drug delivery device. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the rules comprise one or more of mixing rules, diluting rules, and reconstituting rules. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the rules comprise rules for intercepting recalled, expired, or prohibited drugs. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the rules comprise rules for drug interactions. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the rules comprise rules for drug allergies. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the markings comprise information about pedigree of the drug. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the markings comprise one or more of a warning that the drug contains a paralyzing agent, a warning that the drug contains latex, a warning that the drug should be protected from light, and a warning that the drug should be administered directly into a muscle. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the markings comprise information enabling documentation of drug administration. 
     
     
         20 - 32 . (canceled)