Our research

We asked our participants: 

Do you have any thoughts or opinions around medical packaging that you would like to share?

and they had this to say:

"I’d like the packaging to be easier to open. Even blister packs are difficult to manage but

pots with child resistant caps are the worst"

"Whilst I understand the need of safety of children, there needs to be consideration for

those who’s hands are not as mobile/strong. Both bottles and blister packs need a

rethink!"

"I have been known to virtually destroy a child-resistant cap with pliers in order to access

acetaminophen!"

"My hand therapist told me about the nut cracker use for trying to remove childproof caps

and they work a treat. I now keep some in several places around the house. These types

of caps are a real problem for RA and OA sufferers, particularly on bottles of toilet cleaner

and bleach which we have to use. At least with medication bottles there is often an

equivalent product in a different receptacle."

"There must be some way of making blister packing and child proof bottles easier to open

for people with disabilities."

"In design everything is done to make things child safe with little thought for people with

grip issues. Milk bottles soap tablet boxes vacuum packed meat. List is endless."

"I do realise that they have to be childproof but it is very hard for us oldies

have manufacturers keep in mind that older people and those with rheumatic or similar

conditions need special types of packaging that enable them easy access.

Child resistant bottle caps are virtually impossible to open with RA"

"When making something child-proof, spare a thought for those of us with arthitic fingers

who really struggle, even resorting to banging item on the floor, using scissors, or waiting

for someone to turn up to help. With blister packs, sometimes the packs are cut roughly

for the exact dose, and are sharp, lead to bleeding."

"Childproof lids are difficult for me to open."

"I appreciate medicines have to be in childproof containers but there is a dilemma when

the condition they are being prescribed for makes them difficult to open. Not sure what

the solution is" 

"Easy opening bottles of pills would be a lot easier"

"Need caps that come off easier, can't get to my meds sometimes. Can't see to line up

arrows, not enough strength to push down and turn, too much pain to twist hard caps.

The combination of push down and twist opening on items is impossible for me."

"Medicine in blister packs are tricky to access with arthritic hands, and childhood bottle

tops are impossible to use independently."

"If I lived alone I wouldn’t be able to take some of my medication, I often have to be

helped."

"A bottle of tablets is impossible to open with swollen painful fingers have to ask someone

to open it can feel frustrating not being able be independent at 51 !"

"Find child lock caps difficult to open"

"Push and twist is particularly tricky, painful and difficult to do."

"There does not seem to be thought that if you have a diagnosis that affects your hands

you are not given support to access drugs. Previously on sulphasalazine and had to go to

neighbour to open. I really struggle with blister packs now as my joints are so swollen."

"I recognise the need for child safety but it is just one more thing that I can't do when it

comes to opening the packaging and makes me feel more dependent"

"Because everything is child friendly we who have bad hands have to ask people’s help

So depressing to have to ask for help to take medications."

"It is often causes me pain in the tips of my fingers and hands to to try and access my

meds. Sometimes I can’t do it and I live on my own. Child proof caps and really small pills

in blister caps hurt me."

"I often can’t open the bluster packs I can never open child resistant caps my husband

does it for me"

"Just think that companies need to think about the people opening and using their

products especially arthritis and also patients with poor dexterity/ neurological conditions."

"It seems ridiculous that medication for conditions affecting mobility in the hands are

packaged in containers which cannot be opened."

"I think it is ridiculous that the packaging used makes it nigh on impossible to manage the

medication independently"

"Some bottles whilst not child resistant are still difficult to grip to open the first time due to

the size of the lid being small."

"Child resistant medication bottles can mean as someone who lives alone that I can’t

always take the medication until I see someone. Before the pandemic this was ok as I’d

take items into work for help. However during shielding & still now there can be a number

of days before seeing someone"

"Losing your independence is the worst thing with RA. Having to ask for help even from a

loved one is frustrating and humiliating. Simple things like opening a crisp packet or

washing softener is impossible and makes you sad and more upset with your disease.

Thank you for considering us worthy of your thought and help. Good luck!"

"The hardest to open is the type of bottle cap that needs to be pushed and turned

simultaneously."

"How to get into child resistant tops. I can’t push down and twist."

"It’s a nightmare and embarrassing for someone fairly young to have to ask the

pharmacist to help open the child proof lids or put into dosset boxes."

"Bottles you push down and twist are impossible to open."

"I think there needs to be some thought into some of the packaging as sometimes for the

elderly especially it is impossible to open them. I am lucky that I manage most of the time

and when I can’t I have a husband who can do it."

"Child proof caps are specially difficult to open for those with difficulties in their hands. Also

blister packs are really hard sometimes to push the pills out. I really struggle to open all kinds of packages. I live alone so have to sos various relatives and friends"

"It needs to be rethought totally. There must be a way to make them more accessible.

Also, they should be recyclable"

"Not only medications. E.g. bleach bottle, garden products are all very difficult as you have

to squeeze, push down & turn the top. Very/extremely difficult if your hands don’t work

properly"

"Blister packs are very difficult to push through when you have weak & painful hands &

fingers. Similarly , child lock containers can be impossible to turn. Maybe locks could be devised

to put on if needed by the parents at home."

"far too hard to open both child restraint and blister pack often end up dropping the

medicines"

"Some packaging hard to open, child proof caps are impossible"

"Child proof lids on bottles are almost impossible for me to open"

"I am annoyed and frustrated by medical packaging. I dislike having to rely on others to

dispense my medication. I feel the packaging as it is, takes away my independence. Tiny

aspirin in a blister pack is really difficult."

"child resistant lids on bottles of pills are ALWAYS impossible for me to open, some blister

packs have foil so tough that I have to cut with a knife to access pills."

"Would be helpful to have easier packaging, whilst still keeping it safe to prevent children

getting into it."

"Push and twist is nigh on impossible when having a rheumatic flare-up, and tricky on any

day. Although not a problem for my medicines, I have 2 young children. The elder of the

two had to learn how to open "child-resistant" caps for their child suitable

paracetamol/ibuprofen solutions."

"Dislike the use of "child safety " bottles. Impossible for me to open without assistance."

"Please consider hands & wrists that do not bend!!"

"The push down and twist lids on bottles are completely impossible for me to open."

"I get some medication in child proof bottles and I can not open them"

"I understand the need to keep children safe, but I am unable to open the child proof

bottles. I usually ask my pharmacist to do this, which kind of defeats the original purpose

of the safety device...if the pharmacist didn't do it I would probably be unable to take my

medication until I could get help from family"

"Generally it’s been fine but the child proof containers are tricky when you are suffering

with your hands"

"Often need to use a knife to get into blister packs. Once get child proof lids open, don’t

put them back on properly as further problems"

"Yes please make it easier. I hate having to rely on my husband to prepare my weekly

Medicines"

"There are so many different types of packages. If you are diagnosed with a joint condition

then I believe they should be given to you in tried and tested (by patients!) bottles."

"Make it easier to open for sore painful hands. Keeping it child safe"

"child proof bottles - easier opening methods needed for those with hand problems"

"Understand the need for child proof packaging but push and twist can be impossible"

"Yes it’s can be so difficult to open. I understand the safety needs but sometimes the pills

in blister packaging are so small you end up crushing or flattening the pills trying to get

them out. When your hands don’t work you just can’t remove tops or push pills out"

"I do understand the need for meds in child proof pots, but I am 63 and no longer have

children in the house. My meds are in a bathroom cabinet way out of reach. Please treat

me like a sensible adult"

"Child proof caps are impossible to open when your hands are very painful as you are

unable to grip or put pressure on consideration is required when developing packaging

for us consultation and research by getting patients to participate"

"When I was first diagnosed, I was trialled on different medications. Some of these were

stored in pots with lids which were extremely difficult to open. I always found this ironic,

as the medication was for people with rheumatoid arthritis which often affects hands and

wrists. My partner used to help me open these medications. I’m so pleased to see this

study as I am sure there is an more ergonomic way to store these medications."

"It needs to be easier to open whilst remaining child proof, I can’t do by own medicines

because of the problems I face opening the blister packs"

"I hate child proof caps, ironically my daughter had to open them for me! Absolutely no

way can I open them, it's so frustrating and makes you feel old before your

time. Sometimes the tablets break when trying to get them out of blister packs."

"I understand the need for child safe packaging but it sometimes prevents me from

opening the medication"

"It is definitely time to invent new storage for medication that is easy to open but that is

child safe at the same time"

"The child resistant bottle tops can be very hard to open with RA in the joints in my hands

and I have had surgery 3 times in fingers in my right hand"