english.prescrire.org > Annual Prescrire Awards > The Prescrire Awards for 2020 > The Prescrire Drug Packaging Awards for 2020 > Drug packaging, a key factor of quality is sometimes the deciding factor when choosing between treatments: 2020 review

The Prescrire Awards for 2020

The Prescrire Drug Packaging Awards for 2020

Drug packaging, a key factor of quality that is sometimes the deciding factor when choosing between treatments: 2020 review

Abstract

  • Prescrire examined the packaging of 190 medicinal products marketed in France in 2020. As in previous years, too few met the standards of quality and safety required of healthcare products. Awareness of certain packaging features is useful in preventing errors and helping patients use their medications properly.
     
  • One important aspect of drug packaging, to ensure that the medicinal product is fully identifiable, is that the international nonproprietary name (INN) of the medicinal substance or substances it contains must be prominently displayed on the various components of its packaging.This identification becomes more difficult when an invented name is chosen, rather than a name incorporating the INN. The packaging, name or composition of a number of old drugs marketed in France was changed in 2020, without seizing the opportunity to make their INNs more visible.

  • Some packaging features reduce the risk of errors associated with the pharmaceutical form or dosing frequency, such as the inclusion of dosing devices well suited to the recommended doses, or a warning on the box.
     
  • It is also important to check that the medicinal product has safety devices to protect patients, their families and healthcare professionals, such as a system to prevent needlestick injuries following administration of an injectable drug, or a child-proof cap on multi-dose bottles.
     
  • It is useful to be familiar with the main features of a medicinal product’s packaging when choosing between several products containing the same drug, including those marketed in the same pharmaceutical form. This also helps healthcare professionals prescribe, dispense and administer drugs as safely as possible.

©Prescrire 1 September 2021

FREE"Drug packaging, a key factor of quality that sometimes determines the choice of a medicinal product: 2020 review" Prescrire Int 2021; 29 (229): 218-222. (Pdf, free).