Pharmacists, medical professionals, long-term care facilities, hospitals or other medical facilities are familiar with blister cards. They offer solutions to many problems facing the dispensing and monitoring of both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications. This form of blister packaging is popular in the pharmaceutical industry for the benefits they offer dispensers. The two major options also increase the ability to ensure safe and correct delivery of medication.
Two Basic Card Options
Blister packaging of this type often comes in two basic types. These are:
1. Seven-Day Cards (Weekly Packs): The patient receives their medication in easy-to-open bubbles. Each one bears a label for the day, time and dose to take.
2. Calendar Cards: This type of blister card may consist of anywhere up to 31 days’ worth of medication. Cards may offer a specific medication or a combination.
A blister card in either format offers many benefits to all interested parties.
A Few Good Reasons to Choose Blister Cards
The blister format is beneficial to many different individuals. Blister packaging acts as a solution for managing complex medication delivery. In fact, the format:
* Allows for easy packaging, labeling, storing and dispensing
* Has no difficulty containing heat sensitive medication
* promotes medication adherence
* Expedites dispensing by pharmacists
* Makes it easier for caregivers – both professional and otherwise to keep track off, give and renew
* Minimizes the need for storage (and counter) space for pharmacists, medical professionals and in nursing/retirement homes
* Easy to manufacture
* Requires less material to manufacture
Blister Cards
For those who want to adopt a simple medication regime, particularly if it involves a complex combination of more than a single dose and/or involves different times and doses, blister cards may prove to be the perfect solution. This format helps to reduce patient error while providing benefits to both manufacturers and pharmacists. Not only does this delivery system reduce stress for caregivers of elderly patients, but it is also portable and easy for pharmacists to store.
