From Mr D. J. Fallon, MRPharmS
SIR,—There has been recent correspondence expressing concern at the quality of pharmaceutical packaging, and the inherent design errors leading to mistakes. Some correspondents, such as Mr Youings (PJ, December 9, p856) freely admit they do not have the answer, and consider some arguments expressed from busy dispensaries to be "dubious". In the same issue was a letter from Mr Shaw (p856) with something more constructive to say, especially his opinion that "most of the errors would be avoidable if only the pharmaceutical industry would take a more responsible attitude to the needs of users".
I must admit that, until recently, I was of the opinion that manufacturers were only concerned with their packs appearing glamorous. However, I have been in contact with the managing director of a major producer of generic drugs, and he was glad of my comments regarding pack design, and even sent me prototype pack designs for my consideration. Simple changes will produce a vastly improved pack.
My experience reveals that manufacturers are producing dangerous designs through ignorance and lack of quality advice. The same issue of The Journal (p847) reveals total confusion concerning the labelling of Melleril syrup as either 25mg or 27.5mg in 5ml, and the new look Humalog packaging is virtually no improvement over the old packaging, as the so called "safety features"will be masked by the application of a dispensing label. There is no way they could produce a solution when they cannot understand the problem. Numerous products from major manufacturers have no appropriate place for a dispensing label, or an inappropriate place.
In summary, I have discovered that poor pack design is due to manufacturers being ignorant of the dispensing process, rather than the obsession with eye-catching packs, and this is compounded by poor advice.
If any manufacturer would like a quick, critical appraisal of existing or future packaging they could request my opinion if they wish, before they spend thousands on ill-considered designs. Or they could review the website www.patientpacks.com, and perhaps go further than seek the advice of anyone who classifies real problems as "dubious".
Dennis Fallon Birmingham