Pump systems and methods for storing and dispensing a plurality of precisely measured unit-doses of imiquimod cream

1. A method of treating a patient having a dermal and/or mucosal-associated condition with a topical semi-solid imiquimod pharmaceutical formulation, said method comprising:

actuating a dispensing device, the dispensing device comprising a dispensing package that includes a hollow main body portion and a manually-operated airless pumping device mounted on the main body portion, the main body portion defining a fluid storage chamber and the airless pumping device defining a dispensing duct which terminates in a self-closing discharge orifice, the fluid storage chamber being pre-filled with the imiquimod pharmaceutical formulation, wherein manual operation of the airless pumping device causes a portion of the imiquimod cream to be withdrawn from within the fluid storage chamber into the dispensing duct thereby opening the self-closing discharge orifice dispensing the imiquimod formulation from the dispensing package through the self-closing discharge orifice so as to dispense therefrom an effective unit-dose amount of the topical semi-solid imiquimod pharmaceutical formulation for treating the dermal and/or mucosal-associated condition; and

applying the effective unit-dose amount to a treatment area diagnosed with the dermal and/or mucosal-associated condition in accordance with an effective treatment regimen to treat the dermal and/or mucosal-associated condition.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the topical semi-solid imiquimod pharmaceutical formulation is a topical imiquimod pharmaceutical cream.

3. A method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the topical imiquimod pharmaceutical cream contains imiquimod in an amount by weight of about 1% to about 10% w/w.

4. A method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the topical imiquimod pharmaceutical cream contains imiquimod in an amount by weight of about 1% to about 5% w/w.

5. A method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the topical imiquimod pharmaceutical cream contains imiquimod in an amount by weight of about 2.5% w/w.

6. A method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the topical imiquimod pharmaceutical cream contains imiquimod in an amount by weight of about 3.75% w/w.

7. A method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the topical imiquimod pharmaceutical cream contains imiquimod in an amount by weight of about 5% w/w.

8. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the topical dermal and/or mucosal-associated condition is external genital warts.

9. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the topical dermal and/or mucosal-associated condition is perianal warts.

10. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the topical dermal and/or mucosal-associated condition is actinic keratosis.

11. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the topical dermal and/or mucosal-associated condition is superficial basal cell carcinoma.

12. A method as recited in claim 8 , wherein the unit-dose amount is applied to the treatment area diagnosed with external genital warts once daily for up to 8 weeks.

13. A method as recited in claim 9 , wherein the unit-dose amount is applied to the treatment area diagnosed with perianal genital warts once daily for up to 8 weeks.

14. A method as recited in claim 8 , wherein the unit-dose amount is applied to the treatment area diagnosed with external genital warts once daily three times each week for up to 16 weeks.

15. A method as recited in claim 9 , wherein the unit-dose amount is applied to the treatment area diagnosed with perianal genital warts once daily three times each week for up to 16 weeks.

16. A method as recited in claim 10 , wherein the unit-dose amount is applied to the treatment area diagnosed with actinic keratosis once daily in accordance with a 2×2 ×2 week or 3×3×3 week treatment regimen.

17. A method as recited in claim 10 , wherein the unit-dose amount is applied to the treatment area diagnosed with actinic keratosis once daily in accordance with a 3×3×3 week treatment regimen, wherein the first 3 week cycle is a daily treatment cycle, the second 3 week cycle is a rest cycle and the third 3 week cycle is another daily treatment cycle.

18. A method as recited in claim 10 , wherein the unit-dose amount is applied to the treatment area diagnosed with actinic keratosis once daily two times each week for up to 16 weeks.

19. A method as recited in claim 11 , wherein the unit-dose amount is applied to the treatment area diagnosed with superficial basal cell carcinoma warts once daily for five consecutive days each week for up to 6 weeks.

20. A method as recited in claim 12 , wherein the unit-dose amount is a topical imiquimod pharmaceutical cream that contains imiquimod in an amount by weight of about 3.75% w/w.

21. A method as recited in claim 12 , wherein the unit-dose amount is a topical imiquimod pharmaceutical cream that contains imiquimod in an amount by weight of about 2.5% w/w.

22. A method as recited in claim 14 , wherein the unit-dose amount is a topical imiquimod pharmaceutical cream that contains imiquimod in an amount by weight of about 5% w/w.

23. A method as recited in claim 16 , wherein the unit-dose amount is a topical imiquimod pharmaceutical cream that contains imiquimod in an amount by weight of about 3.75% w/w.

24. A method as recited in claim 16 , wherein the unit-dose amount is a topical imiquimod pharmaceutical cream that contains imiquimod in an amount by weight of about 2.5% w/w.

25. A method as recited in claim 18 , wherein the unit-dose amount is a topical imiquimod pharmaceutical cream that contains imiquimod in an amount by weight of about 5% w/w.

26. A method as recited in claim 19 , wherein the unit-dose amount is a topical imiquimod pharmaceutical cream that contains imiquimod in an amount by weight of about 5% w/w.

27. A method of instructing a patient to practice as recited in claim 1 , including the step of providing instruction to the patient on how to practice said methods.

28. A method of instructing a prescriber to prescribe as recited in claim 1 , including the step of providing instruction to the prescriber on how to prescribe said methods.

29. A method as recited in claim 27 , wherein said providing instruction includes the step of providing the instruction on a label or package insert.

30. A method for treating a patient diagnosed with a dermal and/or mucosal condition by use of a topical semi-solid imiquimod pharmaceutical formulation, said method comprising:

priming a pump pre-filled with the topical semi-solid imiquimod pharmaceutical formulation in an amount sufficient to deliver a predefined number of single unit-dose amounts effective to treat the dermal and/or mucosal condition in accordance with a treatment regimen, to prepare the pump to dispense a first single unit dose amount of the predefined number of single unit-dose amounts for treatment; and

pumping the primed pump to dispense an effective single unit dose amount for application onto a treatment area diagnosed with the dermal and/or mucosal-associated condition in accordance with the treatment regimen,

wherein each effective single unit dose amount dispensed from the pump is rubbed onto the treatment area until the topical semi-solid imiquimod pharmaceutical formulation is no longer visible, and

wherein the rubbed-in single unit dosage amount is left on the treatment area for a pre-defined treatment period in accordance with the treatment regimen to treat the dermal and/or mucosal condition.

31. A method as recited in claim 30 , wherein said method includes the further steps of:

washing the treatment area following the treatment period with soap and water to remove the topical semi-solid imiquimod pharmaceutical formulation from the treatment area; and

drying the treatment area prior to said pumping.

32. A method as recited in claim 30 , wherein said method includes the further steps of:

washing the patient's hands with soap and water before and after dispensing the single-unit dose amount onto the treatment area;

washing the treatment area with soap and water; and

allowing the treatment area to dry before said pumping.

33. A method as recited in claim 30 , wherein said method includes the further step of avoiding contact of the topical semi-solid imiquimod pharmaceutical formulation with the patient's eyes, lips, nostrils and/or vagina.

34. A method as recited in claim 30 , wherein the treatment regimen is a 16 week treatment regimen, and wherein said pumping step includes: pumping the primed pump twice each week during the 16 week treatment regimen to dispense the single-unit dose amount onto the treatment area two separate times a week for each of the 16 weeks.

35. A method as recited in claim 30 , wherein the treatment regimen is a 16 week treatment regimen, and wherein said pumping step includes: pumping the primed pump three times each week during the 16 week treatment regimen to dispense the single-unit dose amount onto the treatment area three separate times a week for each of the 16 weeks.

36. A method as recited in claim 30 , wherein the treatment regimen is up to about 8 weeks, and wherein said pumping step includes:

pumping the primed pump daily each week during the 8 week treatment regimen to dispense the single-unit dose amount onto the treatment each day for each of the 8 weeks.

37. A method as recited in claim 30 , wherein the treatment regimen is a 6 week treatment regimen, and wherein said pumping step includes:

pumping the primed pump five consecutive days each week during the 6 week treatment regimen to dispense the single-unit dose amount onto the treatment area five consecutive days for each of the 6 weeks.

38. A method as recited in claim 30 , wherein the treatment regimen is a 6 week treatment regimen consisting of 3 two-week treatment cycles, and wherein said pumping step includes:

pumping the primed pump daily during the first two-week treatment cycle to dispense daily the single dose amounts onto the treatment area during the first two-week treatment cycle;

not pumping the primed pump during the second two-week treatment cycle; and

pumping the primed pump daily, without conducting said priming, during the third two-week treatment cycle to dispense daily the single dose amounts onto the treatment area during the third two-week treatment cycle.

39. A method as recited in claim 30 , wherein the treatment regimen is a 9 week treatment regimen consisting of 3 three-week treatment cycles, and wherein said pumping step includes:

pumping the primed pump daily during the first three-week treatment cycle to dispense daily the single dose amounts onto the treatment area during the first three-week treatment cycle;

refraining from pumping the primed pump during the second three-week treatment cycle; and

pumping the primed pump daily, without conducting said priming step, during the third three-week treatment cycle to dispense daily the single dose amounts onto the treatment area during the third three-week treatment cycle.

40. A method as recited in claim 34 , wherein said pumping step includes the further steps of:

resting for a period of time of up to about two weeks, wherein said resting period involves refraining from pumping the primed pump between said scheduled pumping in accordance with the treatment regimen; and

resuming said pumping of the primed pump in accordance with the treatment regimen without conducting said priming step.

41. A method as recited in claim 30 , wherein the delinal and/or mucosal condition is external warts.

42. A method as recited in claim 30 , wherein the dermal and/or mucosal condition is perianal warts.

43. A method as recited in claim 30 , wherein the dermal and/or mucosal condition is actinic keratosis.

44. A method as recited in claim 30 , wherein the dermal and/or mucosal condition is superficial basal cell carcinoma.

45. A method as recited in claim 34 , wherein the dermal and/or mucosal condition is actinic keratosis.

46. A method as recited in claim 35 , wherein the dermal and/or mucosal condition is external warts.

47. A method as recited in claim 35 , wherein the dermal and/or mucosal condition is perianal warts.

48. A method as recited in claim 36 , wherein the dermal and/or mucosal condition is external warts.

49. A method as recited in claim 36 , wherein the dermal and/or mucosal condition is perianal warts.

50. A method as recited in claim 37 , wherein the dermal and/or mucosal condition is superficial basal cell carcinoma.

51. A method as recited in claim 38 , wherein the dermal and/or mucosal condition is actinic keratosis.

52. A method as recited in claim 39 , wherein the dermal and/or mucosal condition is actinic keratosis.

53. A method as recited in claim 30 , wherein the pump is prefilled with about 7.5 grams of the topical semi-solid imiquimod pharmaceutical formulation.

54. A method as recited in claim 30 , wherein the prefilled pump is prefilled with about 15 grams of the topical semi-solid imiquimod pharmaceutical formulation.

55. A method as recited in claim 30 , wherein the topical semi-solid imiquimod pharmaceutical formulation is an imiquimod pharmaceutical cream.

56. A method as recited in claim 34 , wherein the imiquimod pharmaceutical cream is 5% imiquimod pharmaceutical cream.

57. A method as recited in claim 36 , wherein the imiquimod pharmaceutical cream is a 3.75% imiquimod pharmaceutical cream.

58. A method as recited in claim 36 , wherein the imiquimod pharmaceutical cream is a 2.5% imiquimod pharmaceutical cream.

59. A method as recited in claim 30 , wherein the single unit dose amount dispensed during each said pumping step is about 240 mg.

60. A method as recited in claim 30 , wherein said pumping step dispenses at least about 85% of the single unit dose amount during each said pumping step during treatment.

61. A method as recited in claim 30 , wherein said pumping step dispenses at least about 95% of the single unit dose amount during each said pumping step.

62. A method as recited in claim 30 , wherein said pumping step dispenses at least about 96% of the single unit dose amount during each said pumping step.

63. A method as recited in claim 30 , wherein said pumping step dispenses at least about 97% of the single unit dose amount during each said pumping step.

64. A method of instructing a patient to practice as recited in claim 30 , including the step of providing instruction to the patient on how to practice said methods.

65. A method of instructing a prescriber to prescribe as recited in claim 30 , including the step of providing instruction to the prescriber on how to prescribe said methods.

66. A method as recited in claim 64 , wherein said providing instruction includes the step of providing the instruction on a label or package insert.

67. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dispensing device is adapted to dispense a single product stored therein, the single product comprising the imiquimod formulation.

68. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dispensing device is adapted to protect a remaining imiquimod formulation remaining within the dispensing device after each actuation from air contact, oxidation, degradation and contamination such that subsequent actuations of the dispensing device each dispense a subsequent effective unit-dose amount.

69. The method of claim 68 wherein repeated actuations consistently and repeatedly dispense the effective unit-dose amount upon each actuation during treatment.

70. The method of claim 69 , wherein the dispensing device is pre-filled with a pre-fill amount corresponding to the treatment regimen such that repeated actuations of the dispensing device deliver a predefined number of single unit-dose amounts effective to treat the dermal and/or mucosal condition in accordance with the effective treatment regimen.

71. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

sealingly closing the self-closing discharge orifice with leak-tight contact upon completion of each actuation thereby avoiding air contact with a remaining amount of the imiquimod formulation remaining within the dispensing duct such that a subsequent effective unit-dose comprises the remaining amount of imiquimod formulation.

72. The method of claim 1 , wherein a substantial portion of the imiquimod formulation drawn into the dispensing duct upon each actuation remains within the dispensing duct after actuation so that a uniform and consistent amount unit-dose of the imiquimod formulation is dispensed per each subsequent actuation.

73. The method of claim 1 , wherein about 85% or more of the imiquimod formulation drawn into the dispensing duct upon each actuation remains within the dispensing duct after actuation so that a uniform and consistent amount unit-dose of the imiquimod formulation is dispensed per each subsequent actuation.

74. The method of claim 1 , wherein actuating the dispensing device comprises actuating the dispensing device up to two full actuations.

75. The method of claim 1 , wherein an amount of the imiquimod formulation dispensed per one actuation is the same upon each subsequent actuation when actuating the dispensing device during treatment.

76. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dispensing device is adapted so as to not be readily disassemblable by the patient so that a remaining amount of imiquimod formulation remaining with the dispensing duct after each actuation remains effective and to avoid exposing the patient to excess imiquimod formulation.