Importance

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Abstract

A shelf-stable device for transdermally administering an active pharmaceutical to a patient. The device includes a drug reservoir that contains the drug formulation. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the drug reservoir is sandwiched between an upper and a lower solvent barrier film that are made from a material such as a polyester that will not absorb the drug and/or skin permeating enhancing solvent, if any, contained within the reservoir. The drug reservoir and solvent barrier films are encapsulated within a hermetically-sealed compartment that protects the drug formulation from common environmental factors such as water vapor, oxygen, and light which can adversely affect the stability and efficacy of the drug formulation. The hermetically-sealed compartment also prevents the drug formulation from coming into contact with and possibly dissolving the adhesive used to secure the device to the patients's skin. In another particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device's drug reservoir is encapsulated within a hermetically-sealed compartment that is made from solvent/environment barrier films that serve the dual functions of preventing the device's components from absorbing the drug/solvent formulation from the reservoir, and protecting the drug/solvent formulation from common environmental factors.

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First Claim