Compliance packaging for over-the-counter drug products

Consumers pay attention to ingredients on the front of a label: an eye tracking study

Sunscreen is an important part of skin cancer prevention. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed numerous changes to sunscreen labeling including adding active ingredients to the front of a label. The purpose of the study was to identify and describe differences in attention between current label formatting and the proposed label formatting. Forty-seven participants were interviewed. Participants were presented with mock sunscreen labels that resembled current labeling or labeling based on the proposed FDA rule. While reading the labels, eye movements were recorded. Participants spent 12.3 s longer looking at the front of the proposed rule-compliant label than they did on the front of the current label. They spent the longest time reading the directions (13-14 seconds) compared with other areas. Placing active ingredients on the front of a label in relatively large font makes it more likely consumers will look at the information.

Synthesis and drug delivery properties of Ibuprofen-Cellulose nanofibril system

The Ibuprofen-Cellulose nanofibril (IBU-CNF) drug delivery system was prepared by esterification of Ibuprofen (IBU) and cellulose nanofibril (CNF) with isopropyl acetate as the solvent and sulfuric acid as the catalyst. The results showed that IBU was successfully grafted on to the CNF molecular chain and the crystal structure of CNF did not change. Moreover, the natural three-dimensional network structure was maintained to a large extent. The maximum drug loading of IBU-CNF was 151.38 mg/g. In vitro drug release showed that IBU-CNF was pH-responsive and could be released continuously over 24 h. The cumulative release rate was approximately 90% under alkaline conditions but was low under acidic conditions. UV-visible spectra revealed that IBU retained its chemical activity after in vitro release.

Amorphisation of Free Acid Ibuprofen and Other Profens in Mixtures with Nanocellulose: Dry Powder Formulation Strategy for Enhanced Solubility

The formulation of arylpropionic acid derivatives (profens), which are poorly soluble Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS) Type II drugs, has a strong impact on their therapeutic action. This article shows that heat-treated powder mixtures of free acid profens with high surface area Cladophora cellulose induces drug amorphization and results in enhanced solubility and bioavailability. Similar mixtures produced using conventional low surface area cellulose, i.e., microcrystalline cellulose, does not produce the same effect. The concept is thoroughly described and links the solid-state characterization data, such as differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray powder diffraction, and Fourier-transform infra-red spectroscopy, with in vitro dissolution in biorelevant media and in vivo pharmacokinetic analysis in rats. The concept is demonstrated for several substances from the profens group, including ibuprofen (main model drug), ketoprofen, flurbiprofen, and naproxen. The presented approach opens new ways to produce solid dosage forms of profen drugs in their free acidic form as alternatives to existing analogues, e.g., drug-salt conjugates or soft gel liquid capsules.

Package Design Affects Accuracy Recognition for Medications

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to test if highlighting and placement of substance name on medication package have the potential to reduce patient errors.

BACKGROUND

An unintentional overdose of medication is a large health issue that might be linked to medication package design. In two experiments, placement, background color, and the active ingredient of generic medication packages were manipulated according to best human factors guidelines to reduce causes of labeling-related patient errors.

METHOD

In two experiments, we compared the original packaging with packages where we varied placement of the name, dose, and background of the active ingredient. Age-relevant differences and the effect of color on medication recognition error were tested. In Experiment 1, 59 volunteers (30 elderly and 29 young students), participated. In Experiment 2, 25 volunteers participated.

RESULTS

The most common error was the inability to identify that two different packages contained the same active ingredient (young, 41%, and elderly, 68%). This kind of error decreased with the redesigned packages (young, 8%, and elderly, 16%). Confusion errors related to color design were reduced by two thirds in the redesigned packages compared with original generic medications.

CONCLUSION

Prominent placement of substance name and dose with a band of high-contrast color support recognition of the active substance in medications.

APPLICATION

A simple modification including highlighting and placing the name of the active ingredient in the upper right-hand corner of the package helps users realize that two different packages can contain the same active substance, thus reducing the risk of inadvertent medication overdose.