The Power of Medication Adherence Packaging

 

The Solution.

The Data Behind Blister Packs

Most forms of adherence packaging can be beneficial in promoting adherence. However, not all adherence methods are the same.

Blister packs make it easier for providers and caregivers to monitor medication adherence. A patient, caregiver, or healthcare professional can evaluate a patient’s calendar packaging, for example, to determine what doses were taken. Evidence that a patient tampered with a blister pack would indicate they likely took a dose. This information can help providers to understand adherence patterns, provide counselling if needed, and guide treatment decisions18.

Several studies show calendarized blister packs can be an effective tool to improve medication adherence and health outcomes. Dispensing prescriptions using adherence packaging helps patients, especially those with chronic diseases requiring multiple medications and complex treatments. See findings from a range of studies in peer-reviewed journals below.

  • Investigators evaluated adherence differences between pill organizers and blister packs. They randomized participants to either an organizer or blister pack and measured pill counts at the end of the study. Findings indicated blister packs increased adherence, but pill organizers did not affect adherence (14).

  • In an independent community pharmacy where patients could enroll in an adherence packaging service, those who used adherence packaging were 71% more likely to take their medicine on time, 88% reported missing fewer doses, and 64% had improved quality of life (15).

  • Investigators looked to see how blister packs, also known as bubble packaging, influenced adherence rates in women on anti-estrogen medication for breast cancer. All patients in the trial received their medication in a blister pack from the pharmacy. Researchers compared the outcomes from this trial to historical data where patients did not use adherence packaging. Results showed that blister packs improved adherence compared with historical studies (17).

  • This study aimed to see how packaging techniques would improve adherence to cholesterol medication and improve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Adherence packaging led to an adherence level of 54.2% compared with 46.6% in the comparator arm. Patients indicated high satisfaction with the blister packs (18).

  • Elderly patients taking an average of nine chronic medications for hypertension or hyperlipidemia improved medication adherence rates from 61.2% to 96.9% after six months using medication dispensed in time-specific packs as part of a pharmacy care program. Improved medication adherence was associated with significant improvements in systolic blood pressure and LDL-C (bad cholesterol).

    Six months after randomization, the persistence of medication adherence decreased to 69.1% among those patients assigned to usual care, whereas it was sustained at 95.5% for those continuing with blister pack and pharmacy care programs (19).

  • Researchers studied the impact of adherence programs for people with Type 2 diabetes prescribed a minimum of five medications in community pharmacy settings.

    Patients had improved clinical outcomes and adherence rates when using blister packs and medication therapy management (MTM) services, individually and in combination. Blister packs had a greater impact on medication adherence while MTM services helped improve clinical endpoints.

    Adherence scores were significantly lower for patients who managed prescriptions in multiple vials vs. blister packs.

  • Calendar blister packs used by a group of over 100,000 people aged 18-75 were associated with higher persistence of medication use, proportion of days covered (PDC), and prescription refill adherence (21).

  • Researchers found multiple factors that helped older adults integrate intelligent blister packs (CpaX™ electronic adherence cards from Jones Healthcare Group) into their routines at home:

    CpaX was easy to adopt and use: participants in the study, who reported five medical conditions requiring 11 different medications on average, felt CpaX connected adherence packaging was easy to use and very easy to learn how to use. After initial instruction, participants did not require any ongoing support with the product.

    CpaX made older adults more aware and alert: participants said using a smart blister package changed their behaviour. They became more aware of taking their medications on time. Some mentioned the reminder function kept them alert.

    CpaX provided a sense of relief for loved ones and strengthened relationships: participants reported their spouses or children felt less worried about them as the smart blister package helped manage their medications in a safe and organized manner. They also mentioned using the device promoted a positive interaction with their pharmacist.

    CpaX made older adults feel safe: participants reported emotional responses such as a sense of relief, feeling of safety and less worry (16).