Award-Winning Sample Package Redesign Promotes Compliance and Reduces Costs

The Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA) presented its first Distribution Management Award to AmerisourceBergen Packaging Group (ABPG) and Pfizer Pharmaceuticals for its Toviaz Physician Sample Package Optimization project. The package was a redesigned format that enabled Pfizer to deliver the samples efficiently and to encourage patient compliance.

The Toviaz Physician Starter Pack by Pfizer and Anderson Packaging (AmerisourceBergen Packaging Group) was recognized by the Healthcare Distribution Management Association with the Distribution Management Award.

Toviaz is an FDA-approved, once-daily prescription treatment for patients with symptoms of overactive bladder, including urge urinary incontinence, urgency and frequency. It was introduced to the market in 2008 using a child-resistant starter pack for physician samples, according to HDMA’s press release. In partnership with ABPG company Anderson Packaging, the companies worked together to improve upon this design by transitioning to a more comprehensive package design using ABPG’s IntuiDose child-resistant compliance-prompting format. This enhanced design helped Pfizer to deliver the medication more effectively and cost efficiently.

“Patients who receive the Toviaz sample pack also get the YourWay plan, a simple program designed to help empower patients to take an active role in their overactive bladder treatment. This plan can also help patients better understand their condition, treatment, and treatment expectations,” said Jim Maffezzoli, senior director, Pfizer, in a statement provided to PMP News. “We collaborated with Anderson Packaging to design the patented Intuidose packaging with a wallet card that efficiently accommodates the YourWay program materials while reducing the scale of the packaging compared with previously designed versions of the package.”

The new package resulted in substantial savings in the Toviaz physician sample program and in and a more patient-friendly product. The new packaging lowered processing and operation costs and led to more efficient transportation and distribution, reads the press release. At the same time, the new packaging promoted medication adherence, provided interactive patient education tools, and helped patients better manage their symptoms and treatment.

“Pfizer is honored to be the corecipient of this award from the HDMA with Anderson Packaging,” said Debra M. Copeletti, project manager, Pfizer, in the statement provided to PMP News. “We look forward to continuing our partnership to develop more innovative, ecofriendly, and efficient packaging that meets the needs of our customers and patients.”

“Delivering the right medications to the right patients—and doing it more than nine million times a day—is, by necessity, a team sport,” said Perry Fri, HDMA senior vice president of industry relations, membership, and education, in HDMA’s press release. “The collaboration between Pfizer and ABPG exemplifies the benefits of successful trading partner relationships—benefits that ultimately accrue to the patient. We congratulate them on winning the 2010 Distribution Management Award.”

Presented at the association’s 2010 Distribution Management Conference & Technology Expo in Baltimore, the Distribution Management Award is the successor to HDMA’s iBusiness Solution and Innovation for Success Awards. HDMA presents the award to a member company or companies that demonstrate the value of distribution by developing creative, results-oriented programs and processes in areas ranging from technology and operations to trade and promotional planning that benefit the healthcare supply chain, customers, and consumers and engage in successful trading partner
relationships.