WEIGHT-BASED COMPLIANCE PROMOTING PACKAGING
THE ISSUE
In 2017, the NHS recorded 11,660 hospitalizations in England due to opioid poisoning alone. There is a growing silent global epidemic with painkillers. Research shows that many patients are over-prescribing themselves over-the-counter pills as the dosage should be administered in relation to their body weight. Because of the existing packaging system, the pills are often separated from the original box and the instruction manual which could potentially lead to the misadministration of pills.
MY CONCEPT
An innovative proposal for a new packaging concept for over-the-counter drugs to promote compliance, adherence, and understanding of the medication. The new packaging system will integrate the user information into the packaging to ensure the information is always available to the user upon consumption.
THE PACKAGING
THE WEIGHT-BASED COLOUR SYSTEM | DOSAGE TRACKER
COLOUR SYSTEM
Each colour is specific to a weight band, as dosages are measured in reference to a weight-based system. Each pack equates to the maximum daily dose.
DOSAGE TRACKER
By generating a perforated tab system, the packaging promotes medical compliance as it allows patients to keep track of their dosage. To access a single dosage, the tab has to be removed; automatically marking the dose number.
KEY ISSUES & FEATURES
MY SOLUTION
1. PATIENTS ARE OVER-PRESCRIBING THEMSELVES OVER-THE-COUNTER PILLS AS THE DOSAGE SHOULD BE ADMINISTERED IN RELATION TO THEIR BODY WEIGHT
The weight-based colour system of this innovative packaging allows an individual to immediately know which pack of pills they should use.
2. WHEN PAINKILLERS ARE PURCHASED AND USED IT IS OFTEN REMOVED FROM THE BOX MEANING THAT THE PILLS ARE DETACHED FROM THE DIRECTIONS OF USE
This all-in-one packaging means that direction of use is always accessible when taking the pills.
3. FOR THE ELDERLY, REMEMBERING HOW MANY PILLS TEY HAVE TAKEN CAN BECOME DIFFICULT
The perforated tab system on this innovative packaging means that it has a built-in dosage tracker. Each pack has 4 dosages which is a maximum an individual can consume in 24 hours.