Enhancing Inclusivity with Durable Packaging Systems
In today’s rapidly evolving world, inclusive design is emerging as an imperative for various industries. From technology to transportation, businesses across all sectors are recognising the transformative power of inclusivity; and the pharmaceutical industry is no exception. With its profound impact on global health and well-being, the pharmaceutical sector holds a unique responsibility to ensure that its products, services, and research are designed with inclusivity at its beating heart.
Inclusive design entails creating solutions that can be accessed, understood, and utilised by individuals with diverse abilities and perspectives. By embracing this approach, the pharmaceutical industry not only promotes ethical practices but also unlocks vast benefits for patients, healthcare providers, and society overall.
Our Echo 3D team found that when designing durable packaging systems, inclusivity is naturally incorporated through the optimisation of circular supply chains and its appeal to a wider range of individuals. This is because, unlike traditional one-way pack formats, these systems are designed from the ground up to address usability and inclusivity issues. By investing in durable elements and tailoring them to specific disabilities and functional needs, such as sight, dexterity, strength, or mobility issues, we can ensure that the benefits of these innovative packaging solutions are appreciated by all.
For decades, the pharmaceutical industry has heavily relied on disposable, single-use blister and bottle packaging; however, these formats have inherent problems in terms of ubiquity and usability. As we face an ever-growing ageing population who become increasingly dependent on regular medications, we encounter various challenges stemming from the non-inclusive design of these packaging formats: Dispensing pills can be challenging for those with limited dexterity, child-proof closures can become problematic for those with diminishing strength, and cognitive impairment makes it difficult to remember to take medication regularly.
To address these challenges, pharmaceutical services need to embrace the future by offering personalised deliveries in circular packaging.
By considering the complete lifecycle of the packaging, our 3D designers created innovative packaging solutions for the Pharmaceutical category:
Personalised Designs: Our packaging designs prioritise personalisation, thus catering to diverse needs and disabilities. By customising packaging features such as size, shape, and labelling, individuals with different abilities have easy access and useability of their medications.
Enhanced Usability: By incorporating user-friendly features, ergonomic useability can be improved. We created intuitive pill dispensing mechanisms that are easy to handle, even for individuals with limited dexterity. This ensures that medication administration becomes a hassle-free experience for everyone.
Prompts and Dosing Features: Our innovative system includes built-in prompts and dosing features, ensuring that individuals remember their medication. This addresses the challenge of cognitive impairment and reduces the likelihood of missed doses, ultimately promoting better health outcomes both from a well-being perspective and physical health.
Sustainable and Circular Approach: We have embraced a circular supply chain, whereby pharmaceutical services can reduce waste and provide sustainable packaging options that align with customers’ values as an additional benefit. Moreover, the durability of the packaging allows for multiple uses, reducing the inconvenience of constant repurchasing.
Ultimately, durable packaging systems can pave the way for inclusivity in the pharmaceutical industry. By designing packaging solutions that are personalised, user-friendly and also sustainable, we can empower individuals with disabilities or functional limitations to confidently manage their medications. The added benefit for brands is that these innovative approaches not only enhance accessibility but also contribute to a more environmentally-conscious future. With durable packaging, the pharmaceutical industry can foster loyalty by delivering a seamless and inclusive experience to a wider range of individuals, whilst also additionally making the user feel reassured and comfortable using the brand.
