Patient centricity has become a crucial aspect of the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in the development of generic drugs. This approach focuses on understanding and addressing the needs and preferences of patients to ensure that the medications they receive are safe, effective, and easy to use. Here, we will explore the best practices in patient centricity for generic drug development, highlighting the importance of patient engagement, formulation design, and packaging innovations.
Table of Contents
Patient Engagement
Patient engagement is a critical component of patient centricity. It involves actively involving patients in the drug development process to understand their needs, preferences, and experiences. This can be achieved through various methods, including patient surveys, focus groups, and clinical trials. By engaging patients, pharmaceutical companies can gain valuable insights into the challenges they face and design medications that better meet their needs.
For instance, Daiichi Sankyo has implemented several patient-centric initiatives, including the development of patient-friendly dosage forms and the use of digital technologies to improve patient understanding and adherence to treatment. They have also introduced a registration system to remind patients of their dosing schedules, which has significantly improved treatment adherence rates.
Formulation Design
Formulation design is another key aspect of patient centricity. It involves designing medications that are easy to use, effective, and safe. Patient-centric formulation design considers various factors, including the patient’s age, visual and motor impairments, cognitive abilities, and health literacy. For example, oral dispersing tablets that melt quickly without water can be particularly beneficial for patients with swallowing difficulties.
Packaging Innovations
Packaging innovations are also essential in patient centricity. Patient-centered packaging should be intuitive, easy to use, and provide clear instructions. It should also consider the patient’s ability to open and close the packaging, as well as the size and shape of the packaging. For instance, Daiichi Sankyo has developed formulations with names in katakana on both sides to improve the identifiability of medicines among patients.
Best Practices
- Patient Engagement: Engage patients throughout the drug development process to understand their needs and preferences.
- Formulation Design: Design formulations that are easy to use, effective, and safe, considering various patient factors.
- Packaging Innovations: Develop patient-centered packaging that is intuitive, easy to use, and provides clear instructions.
- Digital Technologies: Utilize digital technologies to improve patient understanding and adherence to treatment.
- Collaboration: Collaborate with patients, healthcare professionals, and regulatory authorities to ensure that patient needs are met.
Conclusion
Patient centricity is crucial in generic drug development. By engaging patients, designing patient-centric formulations, and innovating packaging, pharmaceutical companies can create medications that better meet the needs of patients. By adopting these best practices, the industry can improve patient outcomes, increase adherence to treatment, and enhance the overall quality of life for patients.
References
- Daiichi Sankyo. (n.d.). Co-creation with Patients – Initiatives toward Patient Centricity. Retrieved from https://www.daiichisankyo.com/sustainability/our_approach/patient_centricity/patient/
- Menditto, E., Orlando, V., De Rosa, G., Minghetti, P., Musazzi, U. M., & Cahir, C. (2020). Patient Centric Pharmaceutical Drug Product Design—The Impact on Medication Adherence. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 109(1), 1–9. doi: 10.1016/j.xphs.2020.01.003
- FDA. (2024). CDER Patient-Focused Drug Development – FDA. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/development-approval-process-drugs/cder-patient-focused-drug-development
- Cottrell, N., & Patel, S. (2022). Co-creating with patients an impact framework across the medicine’s lifecycle. Journal of Patient Safety, 18(2), 1–8. doi: 10.1097/PTS.0000000000000801
- Lorenzini, C., & Olsson, A. (2021). Exploring How and Why to Develop Patient-Centered Packaging: A Multiple-Case Study with Pharmaceutical Companies. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 110(9), 1–9. doi: 10.1016/j.xphs.2021.09.003
