According to the 2019 PMMI Business Intelligence White Paper “Senior-Friendly Healthcare Packaging,” 60% of people globally over the age of 50 have purchased products online, which means the population of “senior” e-commerce consumers is rising. The pharmaceutical and medical device markets are also growing in the areas of e-commerce and online ordering, including online pharmacy space with customized packaging and automated refill services.
Ordering healthcare products online can have a positive effect on compliance with medications. The online space allows for a more customized ordering process, with some companies offering personalized packaging that pre-sorts medications into convenient daily dosages. Medications are filled and packaged on a customer-by-customer basis, either by the pharmacy itself, or a third-party contractor. In addition, many emerging online pharmacies are offering automatic refills or automated refill reminders, keeping track of a customer’s medication supply. One senior director of packaging at a leading retailer is looking to the OEM to help find ways to provide end of line custom labeling solutions, and says, “We want to apply a label at the last minute for customization of the package with simplified changeovers for individual labeling needs.”
Delivery has some notable benefits in addition to convenience for the senior population, especially when it comes to compliance. Delivered products from a pharmacy raised compliance rates over 30% - from 56% compliance for pharmacy visits, to 88% compliance for pharmacy deliveries. Smaller, independent pharmacies have been offering delivery services for decades. According to a 2017 study conducted by NCPA Digest, approximately 70% of all independent pharmacies offer some form of delivery. And when the data behind what services customers look for in a pharmacy is examined, 94% of customers say that convenience is the top consideration when choosing a pharmacy.
