Unit-of-use packaging would end this practice of many doses in one bottle.
Unit-of-use packaging refers to the idea of dispensing individual dosages of prescription medicines in one package. In other words, a 30-day supply of a medication would be sold in 30 individual packets as opposed to one bottle. Proposals to adopt this method, either voluntarily or by regulation, have revolved around the benefits as opposed to the drawbacks.
History
The dispensing of prescription medicines in the United States has traditionally involved bulk packaging. The pharmacy receives the medications in large containers and then transfers smaller amounts to bottles. According to Healthcare Packaging, the rest of the world largely uses unit-of-use packaging. In fact, the same manufacturer will use the bulk method in the United States and the individual method in other countries. Adopting unit-of-use in the United States involves changing a long-standing method of doing business.
Considerations
One of the main considerations in adopting unit-of-use involves the cost of conversion. Any time one system is switched out for another there are one-time capital expenses, such as purchasing new equipment. Unless a government regulation or some other force mandates the change, unit-of-use depends on the economics of the switch being favorable. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did research the issue of unit-of-use mandates based upon it providing protection from counterfeit drugs but concluded that it was not enough of a deterrent to base a requirement solely on that issue.
Solutions
One of the key players in the drug industry is the pharmacist. Traditionally he has been seen as opposed to the adoption of unit-of-use on the theory that it renders the position less valuable. In other words, if the prescription medicines arrive at the local pharmacy prepackaged in individual doses, then what is the pharmacist doing other than passing them on to the consumer? That position has changed, and the American Pharmacists Association now supports unit-of-use on the basis of enhanced patient safety, patient compliance and efficiencies.
Future
As pointed out in Healthcare Packaging, a "tipping point" will occur when enough users demand unit-of-use to make it economically feasible for the industry to make the switch. Large users such as Walmart drive the market, and their influence cannot be underestimated. The benefits of safety including protection from counterfeit drugs along with the generally accepted idea that patients tend to take all of their medicine if prepackaged as opposed to bulk also push towards adoption. Once that point is reached then it becomes a matter of time before adoption becomes the norm.
Tags: prescription medicines, United States, counterfeit drugs, from counterfeit, from counterfeit drugs