My Grandfather, John Whiteley, aged 92, uses a pill pack called Medisure to organise the many pills he has to take each day. The pills are separated into days and then different times of the day. This helps him to take the correct pills at the correct time. He relies on it, but acknowledges there are two main problems with the design:
1. The pack is much too large to take anywhere, and dispensing the pills into something else can be very challenging. This often leads to not taking the pills at all.
2. Actually getting the pills out of the plastic seal is very difficult, and often cannot be done without help.
My version of Medisure is an attempt to improve on the existing design in every way, right through from graphic elements to package concept in order to make it easier to use for the elderley.
Although the prototype is card, in production a thin but strong and durable plastic would be used. The shortcomings of the prototype would be remedied by the precision of the production process and the material properties of plastic.
Plastic would allow the pack to be refillable. Each patient will own at least two packs, and a ‘collect, refill and return’ service can be implemented.
Each day’s worth of pills is split up into separate boxes. This allows the user to transport one or more days’ worth of pills easily.
Each section is sealed with a thin foil underneath the lid to maintain the quality and hygiene of the pills. The action of opening the lid tears the foil underneath.
