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Medicine pack made for visually impaired

Dubai - Officials said it will help patients make sure they are taking the right medicines.

The first medicine pack that can be 'read' by the visually impaired has been launched in the UAE.
Said to be the only pack in the world with four features, including braille calligraphy to help the visually impaired, it was launched on Thursday. Officials said it will help patients make sure they are taking the right medicines.
"Our country now becomes one of the first in the world to implement this truly innovative advanced medicine pack," said Dr Amin Hussein Al Amiri, assistant undersecretary of public health and policy and licensing sector at the Ministry of Health. "We hope to apply this new packaging design for all other medicines for the benefit of all residents in the UAE soon."
Ten medicines with the new packaging for non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis and asthma have already been approved by the ministry and will be available in the first phase of the roll out. Two languages - Arabic and English - have been used for the ease of patients.
The packaging also includes an illustration of medicine intake chart which makes it easier for the user to understand. It also includes a QR Code as well as data matrix technology which can be used to detect expired and counterfeit goods.
"There are between 3-5.56 per cent visually impaired people in the region," said Dr Amiri quoting statistics from the World Health Organisation. "Because there is no clarity on the dose intake and less knowledge about the disease, medicines are not as effective as they should be."
The pack has been designed to facilitate improved patient adherence to treatment regime. The 'intake chart' on the new pack will aid patients with a clear visualisation of the intake schedule and link with food and daily routine.
He said with the usage of the QR Code to scan the medicine pack, patients will be able to get information on the disease such as the causes and management through lifestyle tips.
Naser Mohammed Nourani, 45, a visually impaired person, said: "The advanced medicine pack will empower us to manage our treatment regime with limited dependency on others. I am very glad that the concept is now locally available and positive that it would go a long way in meeting the unique healthcare needs of people like me."
Nourani is an author and editor in the Khalid Journal for Children issued by the Dubai Police.
The packaging has been developed jointly with Globalpharma, a Sanofi company.
Patrick Aghanian, head of Middle East zone for Sanofi UAE, said: "Managing and treating illnesses is a complex and often challenging process. The new pack is part of our efforts to improve treatment outcomes and patient experience."
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com