Packaging and medicines

The role of design in patient's safety

Abstract

In the world of designers, every form must have a corresponding function.
In the case of medicines, form is only one of the problems facing the designer. As we know, numerous products exist on the market which can cause confusion due to their similar form, colour or label. Form concerns sight but also touch: hot, cold, rubbery or sharp surfaces stimulate the user in different ways. Medicine containers should vary notably from the image of totally different categories such as products for cleaning, foods or household appliances.
At face value, we are able to understand what a certain package contains because we have learned from experience, although this process can be
very dangerous. This automatic process can be halted by the last element
of interaction between the user and the medicine packaging, the lid. Working on its form can provide a strong element in order to recognise the substance.