Pharma Packaging That Supports Medication Adherence Without Compromising Safety

Medication adherence, the ability of patients to take medications correctly and consistently, is one of the biggest drivers of treatment success. Yet adherence rates remain a widespread challenge, especially among patients managing chronic conditions. When packaging is difficult to open, unclear in its instructions, or inconvenient for daily use, adherence can decline.

Keystone has specialized in pharmaceutical packaging for decades, developing innovative carton and blister based systems that combine safety, usability, and sustainability. Our designs go beyond regulatory compliance to support the daily realities of patient use, helping ensure therapies are taken correctly and consistently.

The Connection Between Packaging and Medication Adherence

Medication adherence is critical. A treatment cannot work if it is not taken as prescribed, and convenience and ease-of-use have proven to be key drivers in patients adhering to a medication treatment. It is common sense, then, that the medication packaging must promote correct and consistent use. If packaging performs properly, it will help to prevent skipped medications, frustration, and inconsistent treatment.

On the other hand, of course, no packaging can make medication too easy to access and ingest without posing tremendous safety risks of accidental ingestion by children. Therefore Child-resistant (CR) packaging is a public health necessity. The challenge is obvious – CR systems that deliver effective protection, while not being so difficult to use that adults (particularly seniors or patients with limited dexterity) struggle to access their doses.

Designing for Patients, Not Just Products

Keystone develops packaging with the patient experience in mind. Features such as clear opening mechanisms, ergonomic motions, and integrated usage cues help ensure patients can access and manage their medications with confidence.

Balancing Safety and Accessibility

The central challenge in adherence packaging is balance. Children must be kept out, but patients must be able to get in. Keystone’s CR packaging systems achieve this by embedding safety mechanisms directly into cartons or blisters in ways that remain intuitive for adults. A simple press, slide, or lift motion is enough for patients, while the complexity is enough to deter children. This balance protects households while ensuring patients can maintain their therapy schedules.

Regulatory Compliance and Global Standards

Medication adherence packaging must also meet the full scope of global regulatory requirements. Keystone designs systems that comply with FDA, CPSC, EMA, and Health Canada standards, ensuring products are both child resistant and adult accessible. Our solutions are validated against stringent protocols, providing confidence that adherence features do not come at the cost of compliance.

Sustainability as a Patient Benefit

Sustainable packaging is not only environmentally responsible, it also supports adherence by simplifying design. Keystone’s paperboard-based systems reduce plastic use while delivering intuitive, easy-to-open formats. Patients benefit from packaging that feels modern, straightforward, and aligned with real-world use.

Partnering With Keystone

Medication adherence packaging works best when it is developed collaboratively. Keystone partners with pharmaceutical and healthcare companies to ensure packaging design reflects the product’s therapeutic needs, the patient population it serves, and the regulatory framework it must meet.

Looking to improve adherence without compromising safety? Connect with the Keystone team to learn how our adherence-focused packaging solutions support patient outcomes and protect brands.