The invention relates to a cover for a drug dispenser, and especially a cover for an asthma inhaler.

There is at present a stigma attached to the use of such inhalers. When asthma sufferers, particularly sportsmen and children, use such a sleeve with their inhaler, their is a stigma attached. It is also known that the inhalers used are of different and dull colours, each colour identifying the different strength of medicine used with that particular inhaler. This colour coded system of inhalers allows hospitals, particularly in the case emergency, to quickly identify the medicine used by that asthma sufferer and can treat the patient accordingly. Using an asthma inhaler widens the air-pipe leading to the lungs, thereby allowing the sufferer to breath more easily.

It is known that the number of asthma sufferers has risen dramatically over the last twenty years, due mainly to rising levels of air pollution and increasing quantities of 'dust-mites' in households.

Asthma sufferers are faced with the embarrassing but necessary task of using inhalers in public. The length of time an asthma sufferer uses the inhaler should consist normally of one inhalation, which is kept in the lungs for 30 seconds, followed by another inhalation, which is kept in the lungs for 30 seconds. This amount of time can attract attention to the user, thereby causing embarrassment, particularly for children. This stigma may deter children and sportsmen from using their inhaler in public. In the case of an emergency, the absence of such use could prove fatal.

In accordance with the present invention, a cover for a drug dispenser comprises a member which is adapted to fit over the dispenser, and the member having an external appearance which is different from the appearance of the dispenser.

Preferably, the drug dispenser may be an asthma inhaler for dispensing a drug which alleviates or mitigates the symptoms of asthma.

Typically, the member comprises a hollow sleeve.

Preferably, the member fits over the dispenser in a tight fitting relationship with the dispenser and may be a friction fit on the dispenser.

Typically the cover may include a top portion which covers or substantially fills an open end of the member. Alternatively, the cover may include a top portion which attaches to the top of the dispenser before or after the member has been placed on the dispenser. Typically, the top portion may attach to an end of a cartridge containing a drug.

Preferably, the member may be manufactured from a plastic, polymeric, rubber or synthetic rubber material. Alternatively, any other suitable material may be used.

The external surface of the member may be textured or moulded to a shape different from the external shape of the dispenser onto which the member fits.

Alternatively, or in addition the member may have a pattern or ornament on its external surface.

An example of a cover for a drug dispenser in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Fig. 1 is a side view of an asthma inhaler, and a sleeve and button prior to fitting to the inhaler; Fig. 2 is a side view showing the sleeve being put over the inhaler; Fig. 3 is a side view showing the sleeve and button both fitted to the inhaler; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the sleeve and button fitted to inhaler; and, Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the sleeve and button fitted to inhaler.

Fig. 1 shows an inhaler 10 which comprises a casing 4 and a cap 5. An asthma drug canister 2 is shown inserted into the casing 4 of the inhaler 10. Also shown is a sleeve 3 and a button 1 prior to fitting the sleeve 3 and button 1 onto the casing 4 and canister 2, respectively.

Fig. 2 illustrates the sleeve 3 being slid over the casing 4. The sleeve 3 is a friction fit on the casing

4 and the sleeve 3 grips the casing 4 by means of high friction rubber from which the sleeve is manufactured.

Fig. 3 illustrates the sleeve 3 fully fitted on to the casing 4. The button 1 is also fitted to a top end of the drug canister 2. After the sleeve 3 and the button 1 have been fitted, the inhaler is ready to be used.

Figs, 4 and 5 show a plan view and a bottom view respectively of the inhaler 10 with the sleeve 3 and button 1 fitted.

Fig. 5 shows the area of the casing 4 which has been left uncovered by the sleeve 3.

The button 1 is attached to the drug canister 2 by adhesive. The button 1 is supplied with the sleeve and a user of the inhaler fits the sleeve 3 and the button 1 to the inhaler 10. The sleeve is tight fitting with respect to the casing 4. If high friction rubber is used to make the sleeve 3 this enhances the grip of the sleeve 3 on the casing 4.

The sleeve 3 may be made out of an elastomeric material or plastic material which is a friction fit onto the inhaler casing 4. Alternatively, any other suitable material could be used.

The sleeve 3 may have a pattern on its external surface. This pattern will differ in colour and in shape, depending on which model it is. For example, for children, sportsmen or women, teenagers or dress. The sleeve can be textured and may be injection moulded from plastic in an injection moulding machine.

On another model of cover, the sleeve 3 may be in the

form of a grip which may appear similar to the shape of a ski-stick grip, that is with grooves large enough for fingers to grip the inhaler more effectively.

The basic concept, however, is the same regardless of the outer shape of the sleeve 3. The sleeve 3 may be adaptable to fit all inhalers with a similar shape to a Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) which has been used as an example in Figs. 1 to 5

Advantages of the invention are that it removes or reduces the stigma attached to the use of asthma inhalers. This is done by providing a cover which may be textured and/or patterned and/or coloured and is adapted to conform to the casing 4 of the inhaler 10. The sleeve 3 will have some form of pattern. The different models intended, for example, various children's models, various sports models and various 'teenager' models should make users of the inhaler more comfortable using it in public, thereby reducing the stigma attached to the use of such an inhaler. The sleeve should reduce the stigma attached to using such a medical aid. In turn, more children, sportsmen and sportswomen will be encouraged to use their inhalers, thereby avoiding potential asthma attacks.