The Role of Packaging on U.S. Healthcare Reform

Question: Why is it important to go to Washington D.C.?

Sandra Luciano: With the new administration in office, there is a focus on healthcare reform to improve the health of the nation and to lower healthcare spending. We believe that packaging can play a role in doing just this. Now is the time to present this information to the White House so that appropriate measures can be worked into the reformed system.

Question: What role can packaging play in lowering healthcare costs?

Sandra Luciano: For one, packaging can contribute to lowering healthcare costs because it plays a key role in improving patient compliance and adherence. During our meeting with the White House Office of Health Reform, we presented a summary of the wealth of published data outlining the economic consequences of pharmaceutical noncompliance -- a problem that drains more than $177 billion from the national economy every year -- as well as the proven role that unit dose packaging with compliance-prompting features can play in reducing the problem.Additionally, unit dose packaging in particular eliminates the need for pharmacy repackaging which minimizes dispensing errors and frees pharmacy personnel to better counsel consumers. Unit dose packaging also hinders counterfeiting and diversion which is another benefit.

Question: Was the White House staff receptive to your presentation?

Sandra Luciano: Indeed they were very engaged. The meeting was scheduled for just 30 minutes and it ended up lasting an hour due to their enthusiasm and interest in learning more.
In fact we discussed comments made by President Obama that center on preventative steps that can be implemented to keep Americans healthier and thereby reduce national healthcare spending. We pointed out that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration already has the authority to mandate greater use of unit dose packaging which, in turn, has the potential to improve pharmaceutical adherence by at least 10 per cent. At a bear minimum, that translates to annual national savings of $18 billion while also giving consumers all the other benefits afforded by enhanced packaging.

Pursue your reading on Alcan Global Pharmaceutical Packaging visit to Washington D.C and learn how Alcan Packaging can help with the interview of Joe Wittemer, Technical Director, Alcan Packaging Pharma Center.

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