Comparison of 12 different containers for dispensing anti-inflammatory drugs.
Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1984; 288 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.288.6418.699 (Published 03 March 1984) Cite this as: Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1984;288:699All rapid responses
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As a professional I am a rheumatologist, and as an amateur a
musician. I have been more or less retired for a decade or so and have
become more a user than a dispenser of advice and treatment. In my time I
saw many patients with hand and finger problems often aggravated by
repetitive or incorrect use.
My own current prescriptions lead to my taking five tablets a day
i.e. 420 tablets per three calendar months all dispensed in blister packs.
I conscientiously remove all the tablets from their blisters in one
session using right thumb pressure and keep them in suitable compact
containers. I take out a week's supply at a time. This is neat and
releases much needed storage space. However the repeated movements put a
considerable strain on the interphalangeal joint of my right thumb.
I am making three points:
!. These movements are a rheumatological risk.
2. The wrapping processes must represent a considerable coup for the
packaging industry.
3. A storage problem is created for pharmacists and patients.
I find British National formulary a model of concision but cannot
locate a section on methods of dispensing.
The photograph shows the packaging removed from my three monthly
supply of medication as dispensed with the four compact containers into
which the contents have been transferred in the centre.
Are patients nowadays not supposed to have the last word? Could we
not be given a choice in how our medications are dispensed?
email: jamathews@doctors.org.uk
Competing interests: No competing interests
Re:A plague on your packaging!
I vividly recall the anxieties expressed by the UK doctors many years
ago when the new EC regulations on packaging of drugs were being
introduced. No one took any notice of our concerns (they rarely do ).
A simple solution to Dr Mathews obvious discomfiture in unpacking his
ration of medicines is to ask a younger person in the family [my grand
daughter is very skilful in opening blister packs without breaking the
tablet ].An occupational therapist friend of mine is hoping to design a
simple gadget.
It is now possible to obtain some drugs in plastic bottles though
some pharmacists do not appear keen to supply these to the "vulnerable
elderly patients ".
These practical problems with blister packs must be responsible for
a substanial part of so-called non-compliance with non-steroidal anti-
inflammatory agents and other drugs.
I hope the big Pharma read this column and find a solution .
Competing interests: No competing interests