Inclusive design: Pharmaceutical packaging solutions for the elderly

Inclusive pharmaceutical packaging design aims to address these challenges head-on, ensuring that medication can be accessed and understood by everyone who needs it.

In this blog, we will explore why inclusive design matters more than ever, the specific needs of elderly users, key features to look for in accessible packaging, and how to balance safety regulations with ease of use. Whether you are a pharmaceutical manufacturer, healthcare provider or a packaging decision-maker, this guide offers insight into creating packaging that truly works for everyone.

The growing elderly population: Why inclusive packaging matters

The global population is ageing at an unprecedented rate and as life expectancy increases, so does the need for healthcare products that cater to the specific requirements of older adults.

For the pharmaceutical industry, this shift brings both a challenge and an opportunity. Elderly patients are among the largest consumers of medication, yet traditional packaging often fails to consider their physical and cognitive limitations. Difficult-to-open containers, small print and complex instructions can lead to:

• Medication errors
• Non-adherence
• Serious health risks

Inclusive packaging design helps ensure that elderly individuals can manage their medication safely and independently. By making packaging more accessible and user-friendly, pharmaceutical companies can improve patient outcomes, build trust and support ageing populations with dignity and care.

Understanding the needs of elderly patients

Designing effective pharmaceutical packaging starts with understanding the everyday challenges older adults face. As people age, a range of physical and cognitive changes can affect their ability to interact with packaging:

• Reduced vision makes it difficult to read small text or low-contrast labels.
• Declining dexterity and grip strength can make opening blister packs or push-and-turn bottles frustrating, or even impossible.
• Cognitive impairments, including memory loss or confusion, may make it harder to follow medication instructions or dosing schedules.

These factors increase the risk of medication misuse or non-adherence, which can lead to adverse health outcomes.

Packaging that ignores these limitations often forces seniors to rely on caregivers for support, reducing independence and confidence. Inclusive pharmaceutical packaging helps bridge this gap by anticipating these needs and removing unnecessary obstacles.

Key features of inclusive pharmaceutical packaging

Truly inclusive pharmaceutical packaging is designed with the user in mind, ensuring clarity, ease of use and safety. Key features include:

• Enhanced readability: Large fonts, high-contrast and clear icons make labels easier to read and understand.
• Easy-open mechanisms: Packaging that doesn’t require excessive force or fine motor skills promotes accessibility without compromising safety.
• Tactile elements: Textured surfaces or embossed indicators can help users distinguish between different medications or opening points
• Intuitive design: Clear instructions, minimal steps and straightforward navigation reduce user error and frustration.

These design features don’t just benefit the elderly, they enhance the user experience for everyone.

Balancing child resistance with senior accessibility

One of the biggest challenges in pharmaceutical packaging is creating solutions that are both child-resistant and senior-friendly. Regulations require medications to be kept out of reach of children, but this often results in packaging that is equally difficult for older adults to open.

To strike the right balance, packaging designers are turning to innovations such as:

• Press and turn caps with ergonomic grips
• Push-button mechanisms that require more logic than strength
• Blister packs with peel-back foils instead of push-through designs

The goal is to design packaging that requires cognitive effort rather than physical force. This keeps children safe while allowing seniors to access their medication independently.

Regulatory requirements for pharmaceutical packaging

Pharmaceutical packaging in the UK is subject to stringent regulations designed to ensure product safety, efficacy and accessibility. These rules are enforced by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and are aligned with both UK legislation and international standards.

Key regulatory considerations include:

• Child-resistant packaging (CRP): Medicines intended for home use must comply with child-resistant standards, such as BS EN ISO 8317. This helps prevent accidental ingestion by children while ensuring packaging remains accessible to adults, especially the elderly.
• Clear labelling: The Human Medicines Regulations 2012 require all medicinal packaging to include clearly legible and intelligible information. This includes the name of the medicine, dosage instructions and warnings. This is designed to minimise misuse and support patient understanding.
• Windsor Framework "UK Only" Packaging requirement: All human medicines distributed in the UK, from 1st January 2025, must now feature a clearly legible "UK Only" label on their outer packaging. This must be sized at least 7-point font and placed prominently to support inclusive use and compliance.
• Braille requirements: In accordance with UK and former EU guidance, all prescription medication packaging must include the product name in Braille. This ensures partially sighted or blind individuals can independently identify their medicines.
• Tamper-evident: Packaging must clearly show if a product has been interfered with, helping ensure safety and authenticity.

While these regulations form a strong foundation, inclusive packaging goes further, prioritising real-world usability for elderly patients by combining compliance with thoughtful design.

The case for inclusive design in pharma packaging

Inclusive design for pharma packaging isn’t just a nice-to-have, it is a strategic investment in patient health and brand loyalty. When elderly patients can manage their medication safely and confidently, it leads to:

• Improved adherence and better health outcomes
• Reduced dependency on caregivers or healthcare providers
• Fewer errors and emergency interventions
• Stronger brand perception and user satisfaction

Incorporating inclusive design principles demonstrates a commitment to patient well-being and builds trust with a growing demographic that values usability and dignity.

Choosing the right packaging: What to consider

When selecting pharmaceutical packaging, it is crucial to look beyond aesthetics and cost. Consider the following:

• Who is the end user? Are they likely to face vision, dexterity or cognitive challenges?
• Is the packaging intuitive and accessible? Can it be opened and understood without assistance?
• Does it meet all the safety and regulatory requirements?
• Can it be scaled across product lines while maintaining consistency?

Working with a packaging partner that understands inclusive design ensures your products support both compliance and customer care.

Pharmaceutical packaging solutions from Swiftpak

As the ageing population continues to grow, so does the need for pharmaceutical packaging that supports independence, safety and ease of use. Inclusive design is essential for improving patient outcomes, ensuring medication adherence and enhancing user experience for elderly patients.

At Swiftpak, we understand the critical role packaging plays in the healthcare journey. With over 45 years of experience and a strong track record in the pharmaceutical sector, we offer compliant, user-friendly and customisable packaging solutions tailored to meet the needs of both patients and providers. From tamper-evident and temperature-controlled options to ergonomic and accessible designs, our solutions are built to support safety, efficiency and sustainability.

Whether you are developing new pharmaceutical products or looking to enhance your current packaging, Swiftpak is here to help you deliver with confidence.