Compliance package innovations recognized by the Healthcare Compliance Packaging Council

Pharmaceutical & Medical Packaging News staff

The Healthcare Compliance Packaging Council (HCPC) announced the winners of its annual Compliance Package of the Year competition at RxAdherence 2014. The annual competition celebrates package innovations designed to improve patient adherence.

This year’s winners are:

• 2013 Compliance Package of the Year: Noven Therapeutics Brisdelle in MWV Dosepak from PCI (Packaging Coordinators, Inc)

• Compliance Package of the Year First Runner Up: Depomed Gralise Starter Pack from PCI

• Compliance Package of the Year Second Runner Up: Mylan Amlodipine Besylate in MWV Shellpak Renew with Optilock Technology

• 2013 Innovative Design Winner: Mem-O-Ring Medication Reminder Ring for Self-Administered Opthalmics

PCI packaged Noven Therapeutics Brisdelle, which is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS) associated with menopause.  Its package features calendarized dosing for 30 days of therapy, with a designated area for the patient to note the starting date of the therapy, HCPC reports in a press release.  

HCPC reports the comments of one judge, who noted that the Brisdelle package “features great messaging to the patient on the billboard space, offering supportive, reassuring, friendly language. Packaging use cues are sufficient and effective, and the insert is folded appropriately for the package dimensions. The ability to write in the regimen start date and the numbered doses will help patients keep track of dosing, avoiding some of the confusion that can arise when designs incorporate the days of the week and patients begin therapy midweek.”

PCI also packaged Gralise, which is indicated for 24 hour pain control for patients with after-shingles pain, also known as postheraputic neuralgia or PHN.  According to HCPC, the Gralise Starter Pack is designed as a titration therapy, bringing patients from an initial dose of 300mg on day one, progressing to the maintenance dose of 1800mg by day thirty.

According to HCPC, one judge commented that the “Open Here” instruction typeface could have been larger with an arrow, but then stated, “once opened, however, the panels open up almost magically. It’s a joy to use, with print and color used nicely to provide usage instructions. Really like this approach from a creative design perspective and can see how this would have a positive impact on patient compliance/adherence.” Other judges commented, “An impressive starter package design incorporating 78 large tablets that nest very well together. The panels also feature supportive patient language and answer basic questions and provide a sturdy pocket for storing the medication guide.”

Shellpak Renew with Optilock from MWV was used by Mylan. The package’s outer carton is made of MWV’s Natralock, a paperboard-based packaging solution that maximizes the use of recyclable materials and minimizes waste, HCPC reports. In addition, the package contains enhanced adherence features, including a smooth-slide blister for easy medication access and color-coded spine labels to help distinguish among medications, HCPC reports.
 

One judge commented on the Mylan package, “Admirable for its convenience and user-friendliness, this pack offers simple one-two instructions to open the pack and pull out the medication card. At that point the blister clearly indicates day of the week instructions for a four-week period, with a handy reminder for order refills. This pack prompts patient compliance and is quite portable. This version of the package for Mylan is considerably easier to open than previous versions of the package style.”
 

Available for ophthalmic, optic, nasal spray, inhaler, and oral medications, Mem.O.Ring marks a 24-hour cycle that can be reset each day to the first dosing time, HCPC reports, and medication name is clearly identified on top band.

The Healthcare Compliance Packaging Council is a not-for-profit trade association whose mission is to promote the greater use of compliance prompting packaging to improve patient adherence and patient outcomes. For more information on HCPC, please visit www.hcpconline.org.