Pack of medicinal tablets

1. A water- and oxygen-occlusive blister pack enclosing an inert atmosphere storing medicinal tablets, the pack comprising:

a breachable-by-tablet foil; and

a water- and oxygen-occlusive wall in communication with the breachable-by-tablet foil to enclose the inert atmosphere therebetween, the water- and oxygen-occlusive wall comprising a metal and plastic laminate, the laminate comprising a 30-60 μm thick layer of metallic material laminated to a layer of one or both of aliphatic polyamide and polyvinyl chloride, the laminate further protecting the stored tablets from significant chemical decomposition;

wherein the tablets contain buprenorphine or a salt or ester thereof and a mixture of anhydrous citric acid and sodium citrate;

wherein the tablets do not contain either an antioxidant or a chelating agent due to the water- and oxygen-occlusive wall that protects the tablets from significant chemical decomposition;

wherein the laminate consists of a 10-40 μm thick layer of the aliphatic polyamide distal to at least one tablet, and a 40-80 μm thick layer of the polyvinyl chloride in proximity to the at least one tablet; and

wherein the breachable-by-tablet foil consists of about 50 g/m 2 lidding foil consisting of a lacquer consisting of about a 12 μm thick layer of polyethylene terephthalate, about a 25 μm thick layer of aluminum and about 6-8 g/m 2 polyvinyl chloride/polyvinyl alcohol, the polyvinyl chloride/polyvinyl alcohol in proximity to the at least one tablet.

2. A water- and oxygen-occlusive pack as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the tablets comprise from 0.2 to 20 mg of buprenorphine or a scaled amount of a salt or ester thereof.

3. A water- and oxygen-occlusive pack as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each tablet thereof contains from 0.21 mg to 22 mg of buprenorphine hydrochloride.

4. A water- and oxygen-occlusive pack as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the tablets include a monosaccharide or a disaccharide or a mixture thereof.

5. A water and oxygen-occlusive pack as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the tablets comprise lactose.

6. A water and oxygen-occlusive pack as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the tablets comprise mannitol.

7. A water and oxygen-occlusive pack as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the tablets comprise a disintegrant.

8. A water and oxygen-occlusive pack as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the tablets comprise magnesium stearate.

9. A method of supplying and/or administering tablets from a water- and oxygen-occlusive pack as claimed in claim 1 .

10. A water- and oxygen-occlusive pack as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the tablets have a use-by date at least 18 months after their packing under an inert nitrogen atmosphere into the water- and oxygen-occlusive pack.

11. A water- and oxygen-occlusive pack as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the metal and plastic laminate of the water- and oxygen-occlusive wall comprises a layer of aluminium or alloy thereof laminated to a layer of one of both of aliphatic polyamide and PVC.