What is Medication Adherence Packaging?

Medication adherence packaging brings many benefits. Here are examples:

Real-time monitoring and feedback: can provide real-time monitoring of medication-taking behavior, which can allow healthcare providers to intervene quickly if participants are not taking their medications as prescribed. This can help to prevent adverse events and improve participant outcomes.

Improved adherence: can provide participants with reminders and alerts to take their medications on time, which can improve medication adherence and reduce the risk of medication errors.

Personalized care: can collect data on medication-taking behavior and use this data to personalize participant care, such as adjusting medication regimens based on participant response or providing targeted interventions for participants who are at high risk for non-adherence.

Looking for solutions that cater to inhalable medications? Check out our adherence device solutions here.

There are several types of medication packaging available in clinical trials, each with their own benefits. Here are some examples:

For Oral Dose Drugs

• Smart Blister Packs: Cavities in the blister pack come equipped with trackers that activate when pills are removed from the cavity and track the date and time. Cerepak® by Westrock, and Smart Blister Wallet from Schreiner MediPharm are stellar examples of this type of packaging.

• Smart Pill Bottles: The caps in the bottles have hidden sensors that intelligently detect when the bottle cap is removed. The sensor stores the date and time of the medication event. MEMS® Cap by AARDEX Group, Pill Connect’s smart pill dispenser, and AdhereTech’s aidia, are all examples of bottles that work in this way.

• Medication Compliance Packaging: This type of solution is typically an open and close wallet style packaging that includes an electronic module that activates when the wallet is opened, automatically tracking the date and time. An example of this type of solution is AARDEX Group and Westrock’s Electronic Dosepak® (EDP)
  

• Reusable plastic sleeves: These solutions, like the MEMS® Helping Hand, features technology to collect and store the time and date when the blister pack is removed from the reusable sleeve.

• Digital Pills: This type of solution features a capture that contains and ingestible sensor. When the stomach acid breaks down the capsule, a low beam frequency is sent to a wearable device, in some cases a lanyard or a smartwatch, where the medication event data is recorded. etectRx’s ID-Cap system works in this way.

For Injectables:

• Pre-Filled Syringe Packaging: Much like solutions for oral dose drugs, pre-filled syringes can be packaged in calendarized blisters that include processors to track when syringes are removed from the packaging. Injectapak® by Westrock is a prime example of this type of solution.

For Topical Medications:

• Adherence packaging for topical solutions work in the same way as a smart pill bottle does. The cap of the medication tube contains sensors that collect and store the date and time of application. An example of this type of solution is the MEMS® Cream Tube (CT)

The benefits of each type of medication packaging may vary depending on the specific requirements of the trial and the participant population being studied. Ultimately, the choice of medication packaging should be based on the goals of the trial, the medication being studied, and the participant population.

Yes – it has been proven to foster better adherence in clinical trials. Digital packaging options have the advantage of being able to passively capture medication event data, which can provide objective and real-time data on medication adherence.

Several studies have evaluated the effectiveness of digital adherence packaging in clinical trials. For example, a randomized controlled trial published in JAMA Internal Medicine in 2016 found that patients using MEMS packaging were more likely to achieve viral suppression in HIV treatment compared to those using standard packaging [1]. Another randomized controlled trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2013 found that patients using MEMS packaging were more likely to adhere to their medication regimen and achieve viral suppression in HIV treatment compared to those using pill counting [2].

The use of digital adherence packaging in clinical trials can also improve the accuracy and reliability of adherence data, which can enhance the validity and generalizability of the study results. Digital packaging can provide researchers with detailed information about medication-taking behavior, including dosing patterns, timing of medication administration, and potential adherence-related issues.

References:

• Haberer, J. E., Musinguzi, N., Boum, Y., Siedner, M. J., Mocello, A. R., Hunt, P. W., … & Bangsberg, D. R. (2016). Duration of antiretroviral therapy adherence interruption is associated with risk of virologic rebound as determined by real-time monitoring in rural Uganda. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (1999), 73(2), 174.
• Bangsberg, D. R., Ragland, K., Monk, A., Deeks, S. G., & Artz, A. S. (2013). A single tablet regimen is associated with higher adherence and viral suppression than multiple tablet regimens in HIV+ homeless and marginally housed people. AIDS (London, England), 27(4), 617-624.

Yes – it has been proven to foster better adherence in clinical trials. Digital packaging options have the advantage of being able to passively capture medication event data, which can provide objective and real-time data on medication adherence.

Several studies have evaluated the effectiveness of digital adherence packaging in clinical trials. For example, a randomized controlled trial published in JAMA Internal Medicine in 2016 found that patients using MEMS packaging were more likely to achieve viral suppression in HIV treatment compared to those using standard packaging [1]. Another randomized controlled trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2013 found that patients using MEMS packaging were more likely to adhere to their medication regimen and achieve viral suppression in HIV treatment compared to those using pill counting [2].

The use of digital adherence packaging in clinical trials can also improve the accuracy and reliability of adherence data, which can enhance the validity and generalizability of the study results. Digital packaging can provide researchers with detailed information about medication-taking behavior, including dosing patterns, timing of medication administration, and potential adherence-related issues.

References:

• Haberer, J. E., Musinguzi, N., Boum, Y., Siedner, M. J., Mocello, A. R., Hunt, P. W., … & Bangsberg, D. R. (2016). Duration of antiretroviral therapy adherence interruption is associated with risk of virologic rebound as determined by real-time monitoring in rural Uganda. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (1999), 73(2), 174.
• Bangsberg, D. R., Ragland, K., Monk, A., Deeks, S. G., & Artz, A. S. (2013). A single tablet regimen is associated with higher adherence and viral suppression than multiple tablet regimens in HIV+ homeless and marginally housed people. AIDS (London, England), 27(4), 617-624.

Yes – it is generally welcomed by trial participants, although acceptance may vary depending on the study population and the specific type of packing play a part. From an acceptability standpoint, selected packaging should be easy to use and not place burden on participants.

One of the reasons why digital packaging is generally well-accepted is that it can provide patients with additional support and tools to help them adhere to their medication regimen. For example, regardless of the packaging or device the participant is using, AARDEX Group’s mobile app, MEMS® Mobile can provide participants with reminders to take their medication, which can be particularly helpful for patients who have difficulty remembering to take their medication on time.

Digital packaging can also provide patients with real-time feedback on their medication-taking behaviors, which can help them stay on track with their medication regimen. This can be particularly helpful for patients who are struggling with adherence-related issues or who are taking complex medication regimens.

In addition, digital packaging can provide patients with a sense of control over their medication regimen. By being able to track their medication-taking behavior and receive feedback on their adherence, patients may feel more empowered and engaged in their healthcare.