USA – American packaging company Berry Global has introduced a child-resistant closure, Digi-Cap that has been designed to improve medication adherence by integrating digital technology.
The new Berry Digi-Cap™ digital child-resistant closure is ideal for clinical trials, drug development, research and academic studies.
According to Berry Global, data on patient behavior is used to improve adherence to medication and to gain insight on its efficacy in relation to the prescribed regimen.
A microprocessor incorporated into the closure records patient openings and stores usage history in its memory.
In addition, the closure continuously monitors and logs temperature storage levels, which can provide valuable data for research and development.
Berry Global said that the microprocessor is activated once the patient pushes down to open the closure.
It records and stores various parameters, and the recorded information can then be easily transferred via NFC to external devices such as smartphones and PCs for further viewing and analysis.
The information can be uploaded to a patient-facing mobile app, compatible with both Android and iOS platforms, and to web portals for healthcare professionals to review and utilize for optimizing treatment plans.
As well as promoting enhanced patient adherence, the vast amount of data collected by the closure can assist pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers in optimizing trial efficiency and increasing the effectiveness of medications.
The app can also remind patients when to take their medication and how to store it properly. Drug companies can add extra features such as LED lights on the closure to show when the medication should be taken, for example by flashing green at the appropriate time. This can help patients stay on schedule with their treatment.
In addition, healthcare professionals can analyze the behavioral data to identify compliance or non-compliance, support test results and conclusions, and fine-tune timings for taking the medication to maximize its effectiveness.
The patent-pending 38mm child-resistant closure features a fine-ribbed sidewall for enhanced grip, providing ease of use for patients.
The closure is compatible with 38-400 standard pharma packaging bottles and existing filling lines and can withstand the sealing process.
Berry offers a wide range of pill jar bottles in different dimensions and shapes to match the closure. Test and programming software packages are available for both automatic and manual filling operations.
“This is a very advanced closure that provides extra benefits from the data it can amass, but it was important that it looked and felt the same for the patient so as not affect or influence their usage in any way,” concluded Berry Healthcare Business Development Director Chad Rice.
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