Prescription sticker label redesign
Biodegradable sticker materials
Prescription sticker labels would be made out of uncoated paper, biodegradable adhesive, and compostable ink to ensure entire packs will degrade if thrown in the garbage.
Clearer hierarchy
Labels would utilize an underlying grid, high contrasting text sizes in sentence case, and ample negative space to enhance readability. User testing and input from regulatory would inform exact hierarchy.
Simplified information
Only the most important information users need would be included on prescription labels. Colloquial terminology would be used to lessen barriers to comprehension.
Icon system
An icon system would accompany text to aid in comprehension for non-English speakers. International user testing would be conducted to ensure icons translate across languages.
Color system
A contrasting color system would be used in zipper colors and in labels to differentiate types of medications, such as controlled substances.
Sensorial experience
Sight
Multi-sized standing pouches would be ergonomic, standing up or compressing down when needed for storage.
Touch
Packages would be made out of durable, biodegradable materials with a slight vellum finish to communicate a sustainability-related natural texture. Pouches would feel sturdy and secure enough for reuse.
Sound
The zipper would make a subtle, smooth zipping sound when sliding opened and closed, communicating functionality and security.
Pouches would be more compact, helping to reduce the noise of pills rattling around when moved, giving patients privacy when taking medications.
Sustainable Prescription Ecosystem
Driven by sustainability and my belief in the power of design in healthcare to increase well-being, I created a biodegradable, reusable prescription packaging ecosystem concept that aims to remove barriers to sustainability and accessibility while improving people's experiences with their prescriptions.
Industry
Passion project
Awards
2023 Fritz Gottschalk Museum of Avant-garde Awards | Shortlisted
Mendrisio, Switzerland
Skills
UX ecosystem | Branding | Digital | Packaging | Illustration
Year
2023
When I picked up a 2-pill medication and a 30-day prescription refill from my pharmacy, I noticed that both prescriptions came in the same sized plastic orange bottle, fully covered with labels of uniformly shaped, uppercase text. I noticed how wasteful this was—the utilization of new plastic containers for each prescription and a text-only label template barely decipherable for fluent English speakers with clear vision, let alone those with visual impairments or ESL speakers.
I then traveled to Kentucky with my prescriptions, where recycling is only available in select zip codes. My only options for sustainable disposal were to either pay a hefty recycling fee or drive to the nearest recycling drop-off center. The prescription industry defaults to utilizing plastic, but viable recycling programs are so rarely available or accessible that billions of these bottles end up littering our landfills and oceans every year, eventually becoming microplastics that we unknowingly ingest.
There must be a way to make sustainability more accessible while improving the prescription experience for patients and healthcare providers.
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How can we remove barriers to sustainability for all in the cycle of prescriptions?
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How can prescription packaging and labels be restructured to help people better comprehend their medications, empowering them in their health?
My concept:
A sustainable prescription packaging ecosystem
Restructured prescription bottle: standing pouch
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Standing pouches would improve ease-of-use with the ability to stand up or compress down for storage.
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Compressed sizes would reduce the noise of rattling pills in plastic bottles, offering patients privacy.
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The front would provide a flat surface for labels, increasing readability from multiple angles.
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A clear window would allow people to quickly differentiate medications and note the need for refills.
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Pouch zippers and labels would utilize a color system, differentiating medications from controlled substances, and would be engineered to be child-proof.
Multi-sized packaging system
Smaller-sized pouches for small medication quantities would take up less space and use less material, reducing production waste.
Durable, biodegradable materials
Pouches would be made with durable, biodegradable materials so they could be reused, or decompose quickly if thrown in the garbage. Bioplastic materials could be used such as hemp plastic or PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates), a bio-based polymer made from processing organic materials through bacterial fermentation.
Prescription sticker labels would be biodegradable by using uncoated papers, biodegradable adhesive, and compostable ink, such as soy-based ink.
Incentivized reusing
Pouches would be durable enough for multiple reuses. Patients would be incentivized to bring in old pouches to their pharmacy or mail in for reuse. The sustainable usage and disposal of prescription containers wouldn't be tethered to recycling infrastructure—people could make sustainable choices from anywhere!
My concept encompasses more than biodegradable, reusable prescription containers—it takes into account the larger prescription experience. It incorporates cross-channel touchpoints such as packaging, label designs, medical communications, and mail systems that sync in order to enhance people's entire experiences with their prescriptions.
Reusing program
Pharmacy drop-off
Drop-off bins placed in pharmacies would allow patients to turn in old prescription bags for reuse. Bins could be securely tied to pharmacy counters or adhered to the underside of counters. Both options would minimize materials used, furthering sustainability efforts.
Mail-in program
I challenged myself to create a mailer that in itself was reusable and reduced pain points to mailing. Utilizing durable materials would allow mailers to be reused multiple times. Using an alternative adhesive, such as a velcro like material, would eliminate the need for patients to use packing tape, and partnership with postal systems would eliminate the need for patients to provide postage.
Digital Ecosystem
Digital instructions for use (IFU)
An online tool would sync with patients’ medications and provide them with instructions for use, reducing paper waste from pharmacies. An organized layout, jump-to nav, and a search feature would make finding information quick and seamless.
Quick link contact info
Patients would be able to enter in prescription-related contacts, such as their doctor and insurance, providing quick ways to get in contact if needed.
Ordering feature
Patients could request prescription refills and/or reusable mailers to be delivered so they could mail in old pouches. Tracking info would sync so they could see order status.
Alerts such as low refills remaining or missing information would notify patients to take action when needed.
