The idea of monitoring the use of medicines wirelessly can offer tremendous advantages. Physicians and pharmacies have no way of tracking whether and when patients have taken their medicines. Medical personnel can control that medicines are being taken, thus benefitting the patient. Pharma companies can monitor that the medications are being taken when doing efficacy tests. Patients and their families can keep track of their usage and can be sent reminders.

The challenge is to successfully produce these packages, which are becoming a little more common and hopefully one day will become standard for the pharma industry.

Schreiner MediPharm, a business unit of Schreiner Group and a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative and smart labeling and packaging solutions for the healthcare industry, recently developed its Smart Blister Card, which enables digital medication adherence monitoring.

The Smart Blister Card utilizes conductive lines combined with an electronic unit. Once the patient pushes tablets out of a cavity, data is generated in real time. This includes the exact time the pill was removed, the cavity it came out of, and its dosage. The data is stored in the Smart Blister Card and sent to a database, either by a smartphone app or reader using NFC or Bluetooth.

It caught the attention of the European Association of the Self-Adhesive Label Industry (FINAT), which presented the Smart Blister Card with the award in the “Innovation & Electronic Printing – Electronic Devices” category.

Uwe Braun, senior business development manager – Medication Adherence Monitoring Solutions, Schreiner MediPharm, noted that Schreiner MediPharm is an A-level supplier and long-standing partner to leading pharmaceutical and medical device companies worldwide.

So how does the Smart Blister Card work?

Braun noted that Schreiner MediPharm’s Smart Blister Card enhances standard multi-dose blister packages by enabling digital therapy control and monitoring the patient’s medication intake digitally. It allows easy application to the multi-dose blister package without impairing the usual filling process.

“After filling the multi-dose blister package with the individually assembled pills and sealing it, a special self-adhesive Smart Blister Card is attached to the backside of the blister package,” Braun added. “The conductive lines included in the Smart Blister Card are connected to a small electronic unit. Every time a patient pushes tablets out of a single blister cavity, data are generated in real time, such as the time of removal, the dose or the respective cavity.

“These data are automatically stored in the Smart Blister Card and transmitted to a database via a smartphone app or a reader using NFC or Bluetooth,” Braun added. “Thus, the patient’s medication can be tracked while the medications are taken as usual. Reminder functions via smartphone are possible as well.”

Challenge in Creating the Smart Blister Card

There were hurdles in creating the Smart Blister Card that Schreiner MediPharm was able to overcome.

“There are some challenges Schreiner MediPharm had to address when developing the Smart Blister Card,” said Braun. “The solution has to be adaptable to diverse multi- and single-dose blister packages while the technology, i.e. the conductive lines and PCB, has to be integrated inconspicuously into packaging designs. The conductive lines have to be precisely positioned around each blister cavity to allow easy push through while ensuring reliable technical functionality.

“In addition, regulatory aspects have to be considered: The marking of each cavity with regard to drug content has to remain visible and legible after application of the self-adhesive Smart Blister Card.”

As for transmitting the data, Braun noted that Schreiner MediPharm cooperates with expert partners for the backend systems and data analysis software.

“These include apps to visualize the data for patients, send reminder messages and exchange data between patients and healthcare professionals,” he added. “Customized app designs are developed according to specific therapy plans and specifications, always keeping in mind an optimal combination of smart package solution and specific use case.”

Smart Blister Packs on the Market

Schreiner MediPharm’s smart packaging solutions with integrated digital adherence technology are already in use in diverse applications, including clinical trials and use cases by healthcare organizations and universities. Braun observed that for medical personnel and pharmacists, the smart solution shows an obvious advantage compared to standard multi-dose blister packs.

“It enables automatic documentation of medication intake, optimized tracking of medication adherence and generates reliable adherence data,” Braun said. “The prescribed therapy plan can be digitally monitored and the medication regimen adjusted where necessary. This increases flexibility, also with regard to remote patient care and enhances processes for healthcare professionals.”

For patients, the Smart Blister Card is the ideal combination of simplicity and improved health.

“Patients value the simple self-check of medication intake, comfortable reminder functions and exact tracking options per blister cavity,” Braun concluded. “A diary for self-control is automatically generated and updated upon each removal of tablets from a cavity. Use of the blister card remains unchanged due to the hidden electronics, allowing easy push through of the blister when removing the tablets. Ultimately, the smart solution enables patient engagement, assists the patient’s compliance and helps to enhance treatment success.”