Ease of opening of blistered solid dosage forms in a senior citizens target group.

ABSTRACT

Blisters differing in design and handling are established as packaging material for solid dosage forms. The ease of opening of blisters influences application and patient's compliance. In this study the influence of visibility and movability of solid dosage forms in blister packaging on both, easy opening and patient's satisfaction, were investigated by target group testing according to ONR CEN/TS 15945. For each testing 20 participants in the age of 65-80 years were recruited randomly. They opened the blisters on realistic terms without any auxiliary devices. Video documentation of the hands' movements was recorded to analyze the opening procedure. To show the influence of visibility of the dosage form in the blister, capsules size 1 were packed in transparent and opaque blisters. A moderate influence of the visibility on both, the ease of opening and patient satisfaction, was observed. A second study dealt with the movability of solid dosage forms in blisters. Therefore, three different sizes of tablets with similar shapes were packed in identical cavities. Limited movability was found as major criterion on effectiveness and effectivity of opening as well as on satisfaction with the opening procedure.