Arranging tablets in a racetrack design proved to be the answer Taro Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. (Hawthorne, NY, http://www.taropharma.com) was seeking when Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Bentonville, AR, http://www.walmartstores.com) asked for a package that would help improve compliance for 5-mg warfarin, an anticoagulent, and at the same time simplify pharmacy operations. Taro worked with a contract packager to find a pocket-size carded blister design that would accommodate a 30-tablet regimen. The oval "Track Pack"design by American Health Packaging (Columbus, OH, http://www.healthpack.com) permits patients to begin the regimen on any day of the week (see Figure 2). The large, printable area on the compact package permits larger type for instructions, which improves readability. The package was recognized as the 2004 Compliance Package of the Year by HCPC. Competition judges noted, "The fact that such an outstanding design is being used with a generic drug is especially praiseworthy." Another judge's comment described the package's overall impression: "Exciting graphics, clear instructions, and a knockout compliance-prompting design make this the best package I've seen this year."

A decade of awards shows there's no lack of good ideas for compliance packaging. These concepts serve as the starting point for new packaging innovations that will make it easier for even more patients to take their medications properly.

Hallie Forcinio is Pharmaceutical Technology's Packaging Forum editor, 4708 Morningside Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109, tel. 216.351.5824, fax 216.351.5684, editorhal@cs.com