to be annoyed at drug packaging

[Sallyingforth]

I have a frail elderly neighbour who I call in to see each day to check that she's OK and make sure she takes her daily meds - there are several different ones.
What annoys me is the different packaging.
Some pills are in boxes of 28, some in 30's. This means that over time the renewal prescriptions are needed at different times.
Inside the boxes, they are in strips of 7, 10, or 12 pills.
My neighbour just couldn't cope with this on her own and I'm sure she's not the only one confused by it.
Why can't the drugs manufacturers agree a standard for the packaging so that it's easy to see which have been taken, and repeats can all be ordered at the same time?
I have got her one of the boxes set out for daily doses, to use when I'm not around, but it still has to be filled properly from the different packages.

[acasualobserver]

My friend's v.elderly granny has all her meds supplied together and combined in the correct doses on a card with compartments and individual seals.

[Barmaid101]

You need to get her to speak to her pharmacist about getting a tray done which has all her medicines. This is something pharmacies do so take them up on it. My husband is a pharmacist and does many dds trays for patients some collect them weekly some every 4 weeks. Definitely worth looking into

[acasualobserver]

Yes, that's what I mean. If you google "Boots Medisure" you will see an example.

[CMOTDibbler]

My parents have their medication supplied in dosset boxes which the pharmacist makes up. I seem to remember that the gp had to agree to this as it costs more, but was very easy to set up by just asking the pharmacy

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Regardless of pack size the pharmacy dispenses what the doctor prescribes. My medication comes in packs of 30, however I get 112 tablets as this is what my GP prescribes.

[Arkwright]

Ask the pharmacist to put them in dosset boxes they make it much easier.

[specialsubject]

joining the chorus - she needs a dosset box, made up by the pharmacy. Here's an example:

www.pulteneypharmacy.co.uk/dossette-box-service

it is divided by days and times, with any she doesn't need left empty. So at breakfast time on Monday she opens that section and takes the pills in it. And so on.

[Sallyingforth]

Thanks for all your replies!
I'd never heard of that service. That will be like the weekly box that I make up for her when I'm away, but done professionally.
I'll get onto it with her next set of scripts.
Thanks again :)

[specialsubject]

AIBU does something useful for once!!

I'd suggest not waiting for the next set of prescriptions as it does take a while to set up. Contact the pharmacy/GP ASAP and set the ball rolling.

[Sallyingforth]

It's in hand specialsubject.
Just a bit complicated because the surgery don't recognise me as her representative. But I'll sort that!
My original complaint still stands though. The drugs packaging needs to be sorted.

[specialsubject]

backwards...I don't think drugs can be standardised. For example, some contraceptive pills come in 21 day packs and some in 28. For good reasons!!

another thing...is there a medication delivery service in your area? Not everywhere, but an elderly relative of mine not only has a dosset box service but the repeats and deliveries are all done automatically. A chap in a little van drives round the town and collects from all the pharmacies. The boxes are designed to go through the letterbox too.

takes the load off kind people like you.

[GreatFuckability]

But, for instance the medications I take...one is once a day, one is 2 pills 4 times a day, one is 3 pills 3 times a day. it would be impossible to standardise those into a weekly amount.

[Sallyingforth]

I'm not suggesting weekly amounts. Just that if the pills were all packaged the same way they would be easier to manage.
Is there any sound reason for some to be packaged in 28s and others in 30s?

[AHobbyaweek]

The problem is that pharma companies may be global and it depends on which country the drug is manufactured in. Regulatory for that company may demand one pack size or another or the market in that area will want it the way that suits them. It is very costly to make different pack sizes for each country and each variation has to go through an approval process with each authority.

[JakeyB]

Perhaps they do things differently in the different NHSes, but where I am you get a medical supply for a set time period, so if two months' supply means you need 128 pills then that's what you get, with a little strip of 8 pills or whatever added in to make up the numbers. I'm on two long-term prescriptions but although the packaging sizes vary, I get my supplies together and they last for the same length of time.