Many Pills, One Pouch

The Partnership for Innovation at Work

Gary Norton and his wife, Judy, know a lot about pills. Gary has had heart issues, and also has diabetes and a rare virus that eats away at the large muscle groups on his legs and arms.

Gary knows he'll stay healthier and live longer if he keeps up on his meds. But that's easier said than done when you have to take pills morning, noon, and night.

Lee Allen, a Group Health pharmacist, sees patients like Gary every day. He knew there must be a way to simplify medication management.

Allen and his team came up with a very exciting idea with a deceptively boring name: Medication Safety Packaging. They created a compliance packager that puts sets of bar-code verified pills into individual pouches. Each pouch shows the date, time, and contents. The patient receives one month's worth of pills in one tidy roll.

For patients like Gary, who have complex medication regimens, these pouches are pure gold. "It's so simple, he's taken it over for himself." Judy says. "Even a man can do it!" she jokes.

All joking aside, medication management is a serious issue. And although little pill pouches may not scream 'innovation' to some, to us Medication Safety Packaging is innovation in action. (Gary and Judy agree!)

Gary Norton shows off his little pill packets and says good-bye to his armful of pill bottles.