Medication Reminders – Simple Bubble-Pack Option

By Care For You •

bubble pack Many of us today are taking more than one medication, either prescription or over-the-counter, and live very active and busy lives. Sometimes we forget to take our medications and we find ourselves asking the question, “have I taken my pills today?” We stumbled across one answer to this in Hints From Heloise. While published in August, 2007, bubble-packing is still not common; however, pharmacies that provide it can be found just about anywhere.

What is Bubble-Packing?

Dear Heloise: I am a pharmacist who works at an independent community pharmacy. We blister- or bubble-pack medications for patients for a very nominal fee. This consists of placing medications in bubble cards that are marked for each day, time of day and dose (one for a.m., one for p.m., etc.). It makes it less confusing for patients and caregivers. And there is never the question of “Did I take or give that medication?” because if you did, the bubble has had the medicine pushed out for the day and time. Most people do not realize that this service is easily accessed in their community. It really cuts down on medication errors and takes away a lot of stress involved with medication schedules. I hope this helps someone. (Betsy Briley, Huntsville, Ala.)

Why Bubble-Packing?

The bubble-packing system helps patients take their medications in the proper way. This system is filled, labeled and sealed in the pharmacy. Patient non-compliance is a major concern accounting for:

up to 10% of all hospital admissions
approximately 25% of all hospital admissions among the elderly
approximately 23% of all nursing home admissions

Who might benefit from Bubble-Packing?

Patients with a complicated medication regimen (4 or more medications)
Patients with certain mental or physical conditions (Alzheimer, visual impairment etc…)
Patients who are under the care of a caregiver (nurse, family etc…)
People who live busy lives

Check with your local pharmacy to see if they offer this service; if not, you can request that they do.

More information at:
The Journal of the American Medical Association, http://jama.ama-assn.org), Jeannie K. Lee, Karen A. Grace, Allen J. Taylor; “Effect of a Pharmacy Care Program on Medication Adherence and Persistence, Blood Pressure, and Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol: A Randomized Controlled Trial”

Comments(4) Senior Home Care

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Comments

By Cathleen Zimmerman on January 31st, 2012 at 6:46 pm

I am a mother of a special needs son who takes several medications.I also am a pharmacy technician.How do i buy the self addhereing bubble packs so i can bubble pack my sons medications, so when he is in someone elses care i know that he is recieving the right meds?Thank you
cathy

By Care For You on February 1st, 2012 at 4:38 pm

Thanks Cathy for visiting our website! As you are a pharmacy technician, our advice is to speak with the representative of your packaging supplier. Alert them to the information you read and encourage them to carry the bubble pack componets; if they don’t already.
Please let us know how it turns out for you and best of luck.

By Cynthia N on March 22nd, 2012 at 10:24 pm

Please may I have the telephone number to the company that makes this packs. I need to place an order for my pharmacy ASAP because we serve group and nursing homes. This is really great!!!!

By Care For You on March 23rd, 2012 at 10:39 am

Please speak with your packaging supplier! You have the most influence on them….Good luck and thanks for stopping by