What is Adherence Packaging?

 

Adherence packaging, also known as medisets or blister packs, is a packaging system in which a patient's prescribed medications are separated into doses or individual packets marked with the day and time they are to be taken. The medicines are packaged in plastic pouches, blister packs, strips or containers with sections for each scheduled dose to be taken. This packaging method is an innovative solution that aims to simplify medication routines and promote treatment adherence among patients.

 

Benefits of Adherence Packaging

 

Organizes multi-drug regimens: Adherence packaging consolidates all doses of multiple drugs prescribed to a patient into one convenient package. This helps organize complex medication regimens involving many different pills that need to be taken several times a day. The packaging makes it easier for patients to follow the correct dosing schedule.

 

Reduces confusion: Individual pre-sorted doses marked clearly with labels like "Morning", "Breakfast", and "Lunch" reduces the risk of confusion among patients, especially elderly individuals with cognitive disorders taking numerous medications. The unambiguous packaging helps avoid mistakes like skipping doses, double dosing, or taking the wrong medication.

 

Promotes independence: The individual packets/doses enable independent living for aging patients and those with disabilities by simplifying medication routines. Caregivers can feel assured that the correct medication is being administered as per schedule.

 

Serves as reminders: The compartmentalized packaging with dates and times printed on each dose acts as a visual reminder for patients to take their medications on time. This reminder function encourages medication adherence.

 

Improves compliance: Studies show Adherence Packaging results in nearly 20-30% better compliance compared to traditional pill bottles. Patients are 70-80% more likely to take their medications as prescribed when packed in adherence packaging. The systematic organization encourages patients to follow treatment without fail.

 

Reduces medication waste: With no confusion regarding dosing, adherence packaging reduces the wastage of leftover pills that come from missed doses and errors. It promotes the optimal use of prescribed medications.

 

Drawbacks of Adherence Packaging

 

Increased costs: Preparing individual patient medication packs requires more labor and materials than bulk dispensing into prescription vials. This additional packaging effort translates to higher costs for providers, payers and patients.

 

Limited flexibility: Re-dosing or medication changes requires repackaging the entire regimen, increasing workload. Patients who occasionally miss doses cannot easily self-adjust remaining doses in the rigid schedule-oriented packaging.

 

Access issues: Refills and renewals require advance planning and coordination between prescribers, pharmacies and patients. Patients traveling or temporarily away may find it difficult to access medications repacked at a central pharmacy fill schedule.

 

Sustainability concerns: While adherence packaging reduces medication waste from the patient perspective, the increased plastic packaging generates more non-recyclable solid medical waste for providers and suppliers.

 

Patient preference issues: Some patients prefer traditional vials to the rigid schedule of adherence packs or find the multi-dose packaging inconvenient when dosing needs to vary. Additional education may be needed to address concerns over perceived loss of autonomy.

 

Implementing Adherence Packaging in Practice

 

Community pharmacies have traditionally been the key providers of adherence packaging services to patients in conjunction with their physicians and health systems. Some solutions pharmacies offer include:

 

- Weekly or monthly pre-packaged pouches/blister cards of all oral solid medications tailored as per each patient's prescription regimen. Refills are simplified.

 

- Color-coding and clear labeling of individual doses with dates/times helps visually-impaired elder patients. Braille markings aid the blind.

 

- Pharmacy software tracks repackaging to ensure protocol compliance for quality control audits. Automated packaging equipment expedites production.

 

- Education by pharmacists addresses patient concerns on flexibility, costs and sustainability to encourage buy-in for the adherence benefits.

 

- Close coordination is maintained between pharmacists, physicians and patients regarding medication changes to minimize repackaging waste and delays.

 

- Rebates or subsidized costs may be offered to encourage utilization, especially for high-risk chronic conditions needing stringent adherence to prevent costly health outcomes.

 

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