Parenteral Drug Association (PDA) Parenteral Packaging Conference
The Parenteral Drug Association (PDA) Parenteral Packaging Conference on 25–26 March 2025. The conference brought together global experts to discuss innovations, challenges, and future directions in pharmaceutical packaging, with a strong focus on safety, quality, and patient-centered solutions.
Ms. Penney Cowan, Secretary and Founding Director of the World Patients Alliance (WPA), presented on “Understanding the Patient Perspective: Key Insights for Safe and Effective Packaging,” emphasizing the critical role of patient-centric design in improving medication safety and healthcare outcomes.
Ms. Cowan outlined key challenges faced by patients, including difficult-to-open packaging for elderly and disabled individuals, poor readability due to small fonts, inadequate safety features, and the lack of environmentally sustainable options. These barriers can significantly impact patient safety, adherence, and overall experience.
Drawing on patient feedback and global insights, she stressed the importance of designing packaging that prioritizes simplicity, clarity, accessibility, and safety. She also underscored the value of collaboration between pharmaceutical companies and patient organizations to ensure that real patient needs are reflected in product design and development.
The presentation further emphasized that empowering patients through better packaging fosters trust, informed decision-making, and improved adherence to treatment plans. By integrating patient perspectives into every stage of the pharmaceutical lifecycle, stakeholders can contribute to safer and more effective healthcare systems.
Concluding with a call to action, Ms. Cowan highlighted the shared responsibility of industry, regulators, and patient organizations to advance patient-centric packaging. She encouraged stronger partnerships and continuous engagement with patient communities to drive innovation and ensure that healthcare solutions are truly responsive to patient needs.