New pill bottles for shaky hands will help people with Parkinson’s (2021)(nerdbot.com)
nerdbot.com
New pill bottles for shaky hands will help people with Parkinson’s (2021)
https://nerdbot.com/2021/01/09/tiktok-pill-bottles-for-shaky-hands-parkinsons/
51 comments
It's amazing that so many things that are medicinal, or otherwise intended for people who are not at 100% are packaged in a way that makes them impossible to open.
Zyrtec-D, and Flonase come to mind. Two great examples of companies that must really hate their customers.
Zyrtec-D has to be opened by peeling a micro-thin layer of foil away from a paper-thin piece of plastic.
Flonase is sealed inside a plastic blister pack that can only be opened with stout scissors or garden shears. It is designed to not be openable by human hands.
I'm sure this packaging saved the companies 1¢ per package in costs, and earned some North Shore middle manager the bonus he needed to buy his kid a second boat.
Sadly, the number of things sold on Amazon in "Frustration-free packaging" is dwindling by the day.
All of this goes along with what I call the Elderly Tax. As a society, in many ways we punish people for living a long life.
For example, at the grocery store, a theoretical eight-pack of bottled water costs $3.00. A theoretical 32-pack of bottled water costs $5.00. But no older person can lift a 32-pack of water. So to get 32 bottles of water, an older person has to pay 140% more just because they made the mistake of not dying young.
Zyrtec-D, and Flonase come to mind. Two great examples of companies that must really hate their customers.
Zyrtec-D has to be opened by peeling a micro-thin layer of foil away from a paper-thin piece of plastic.
Flonase is sealed inside a plastic blister pack that can only be opened with stout scissors or garden shears. It is designed to not be openable by human hands.
I'm sure this packaging saved the companies 1¢ per package in costs, and earned some North Shore middle manager the bonus he needed to buy his kid a second boat.
Sadly, the number of things sold on Amazon in "Frustration-free packaging" is dwindling by the day.
All of this goes along with what I call the Elderly Tax. As a society, in many ways we punish people for living a long life.
For example, at the grocery store, a theoretical eight-pack of bottled water costs $3.00. A theoretical 32-pack of bottled water costs $5.00. But no older person can lift a 32-pack of water. So to get 32 bottles of water, an older person has to pay 140% more just because they made the mistake of not dying young.
> For example, at the grocery store, a theoretical eight-pack of bottled water costs $3.00. A theoretical 32-pack of bottled water costs $5.00. But no older person can lift a 32-pack of water. So to get 32 bottles of water, an older person has to pay 140% more just because they made the mistake of not dying young.
The grocery store I go to (large regional brand) has for the last few years been asking people at checkout if they need help carrying their groceries to their car. Some packaging is ridiculous (remember people having to go to the hospital and get stitches over clam-shell packages?), but I can't imagine an elderly person wouldn't get help carrying a heavy item if they asked for help - people want to be good Samaritans.
The grocery store I go to (large regional brand) has for the last few years been asking people at checkout if they need help carrying their groceries to their car. Some packaging is ridiculous (remember people having to go to the hospital and get stitches over clam-shell packages?), but I can't imagine an elderly person wouldn't get help carrying a heavy item if they asked for help - people want to be good Samaritans.
That's half the battle... getting it from the curb, up the stairs, and into the home is also a problem that the helpful folks at the store won't solve
In cases like that of the bottled water, where the difficulty is because it is a large package bundling several smaller items, you can open the package in the car and bring the smaller items inside in smaller groups.
I've noticed the generic version of Flonase is usually in a thin cardboard box which can be easily opened by sliding a finger under one of the flaps and breaking the glue. The spray itself has a little tamper seal on it which is perforated and can be peeled off pretty easily.
Looking at the packaging between the two I think it's more about branding than saving a cent or two. The name brand Flonase package is colorful and eye catching and very pretty. The generic one is a plain dull box which just says "Allergy Relief Nasal Spray".
Keeping the product looking nice in transit is a factor too. I notice the generic Flonase boxes are sometimes a bit crushed on the shelf because the packaging has zero structural rigidity. The stuff inside is fine but it looks bad. This never seems to happen with the name brand packages due to their more robust design.
Looking at the packaging between the two I think it's more about branding than saving a cent or two. The name brand Flonase package is colorful and eye catching and very pretty. The generic one is a plain dull box which just says "Allergy Relief Nasal Spray".
Keeping the product looking nice in transit is a factor too. I notice the generic Flonase boxes are sometimes a bit crushed on the shelf because the packaging has zero structural rigidity. The stuff inside is fine but it looks bad. This never seems to happen with the name brand packages due to their more robust design.
> All of this goes along with what I call the Elderly Tax. As a society, in many ways we punish people for living a long life.
Somewhat related: https://imdb.com/title/tt9270362/
An excellent film about how society simply isn’t built for older people, and the struggles that they go through on a daily basis. Very affecting.
Somewhat related: https://imdb.com/title/tt9270362/
An excellent film about how society simply isn’t built for older people, and the struggles that they go through on a daily basis. Very affecting.
I have to use pliers to open new bottles of the ranch dressing I buy. It's ridiculous how tight they are.
I used to buy “peak tea” in the single serve bottles. They seem to have changed the packaging slightly on the newest runs - of maybe at a certain factory as I see both packaging.
But - they have this impossible to peal / remove layer of heat shrink material over the top lid - I have to always use two hands and knife carefully.
on top of that, they seem to fill them to the very top, if I’m not careful taking off the lid I spill it.
I actually stopped buying them because of 1 - cost for something I didn’t really need, but also 2 - the package difficulty.
But - they have this impossible to peal / remove layer of heat shrink material over the top lid - I have to always use two hands and knife carefully.
on top of that, they seem to fill them to the very top, if I’m not careful taking off the lid I spill it.
I actually stopped buying them because of 1 - cost for something I didn’t really need, but also 2 - the package difficulty.
> But - they have this impossible to peal / remove layer of heat shrink material over the top lid - I have to always use two hands and knife carefully.
That stuff is the worst! Bottles of soy sauce come with that stuff on in the UK and you have to decide: am I going to risk getting that stuck under my fingernail like the worst splinter, or am I going to risk trying to pick at the edge with a sharp knife with all that entails.
That stuff is the worst! Bottles of soy sauce come with that stuff on in the UK and you have to decide: am I going to risk getting that stuck under my fingernail like the worst splinter, or am I going to risk trying to pick at the edge with a sharp knife with all that entails.
Yes, there's that as well. Things aren't just child-proof, they're full on human-proof. What a smart way to not increase consumption.
It often works to use the cap to push that wrapper off (by unscrewing it).
I've not specifically opened one of those bottles though.
I've not specifically opened one of those bottles though.
timely coincidence — World Parkinson’s Day is this Monday. We’ve put together some assets and things to help spread awareness, if anyone is interested.
https://worldparkinsonsday.com
https://worldparkinsonsday.com
Reminds me of: https://www.liftware.com/steady/
If you have relatives who struggle with pill bottles, let them know that many prescription pill bottles are designed so they can be re-capped by screwing the lid into the bottle upside down.
That allows them to be re-opened much easier because there's much more gripping surface, and there's no need to squeeze to get past the child safety feature.
That allows them to be re-opened much easier because there's much more gripping surface, and there's no need to squeeze to get past the child safety feature.
Here's an article with a picture if anyone wants to see what reaperducer is talking about [1].
On a much lighter note pill bottles aren't the only common container that has a mode of operation that most people have completely overlooked. The little paper ketchup cups common at many fast food places in the US have an operating mode that seems almost completely unknown. I've never seen any use it.
You see people having to work to hit the small cup when dipping their french fries, not realizing that the cup can be opened up make it easier to access the ketchup. Those sections on the side where the paper is folded back on itself can be unfolded to greatly increase the size of the cup.
Here's a photo [2] and a video [3].
[1] https://bestlifeonline.com/prescription-bottle-cap/
[2] https://twitter.com/davefrancois/status/998574865027338240
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkeWoO0MJes
On a much lighter note pill bottles aren't the only common container that has a mode of operation that most people have completely overlooked. The little paper ketchup cups common at many fast food places in the US have an operating mode that seems almost completely unknown. I've never seen any use it.
You see people having to work to hit the small cup when dipping their french fries, not realizing that the cup can be opened up make it easier to access the ketchup. Those sections on the side where the paper is folded back on itself can be unfolded to greatly increase the size of the cup.
Here's a photo [2] and a video [3].
[1] https://bestlifeonline.com/prescription-bottle-cap/
[2] https://twitter.com/davefrancois/status/998574865027338240
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkeWoO0MJes
That is just plain awesome. I have to tell my neighbor who has been having issues with gripping etc.. I can't believe I hadn't noticed the screw threads on the top side of the lid all this time.
Thank you!
Thank you!
I remember when Michael J Fox announced that he had Parkinson’s in 1998
https://www.michaeljfox.org/michaels-story
He started his foundation to treat/cure the disease. Somehow I thought we’d have had made more progress in 25 years.
I also find it interesting to look back at the US national debt and wonder how the world would have been different if we invested more of that into research (e.g medical, pure science, etc)
In 1998, the national debt was $5.5 trillion and today is $30 trillion.
https://www.michaeljfox.org/michaels-story
He started his foundation to treat/cure the disease. Somehow I thought we’d have had made more progress in 25 years.
I also find it interesting to look back at the US national debt and wonder how the world would have been different if we invested more of that into research (e.g medical, pure science, etc)
In 1998, the national debt was $5.5 trillion and today is $30 trillion.
My mom has Parkinson's.
The thing that causes the symptoms is brain cells dying at an abnormally fast rate.
It's really hard to treat cells dying from poorly understood causes.
The foundation has helped get a number of new drugs approved to help with the symptoms.
The thing that causes the symptoms is brain cells dying at an abnormally fast rate.
It's really hard to treat cells dying from poorly understood causes.
The foundation has helped get a number of new drugs approved to help with the symptoms.
The "national debt" is just non governmental wealth. It's an accounting artifact. The fact that interest is paid on most of it is entirely through choice.
Edit: The point is the policy space available to you has nothing to do with national debt and everything to do with politics, the same in the past as now.
Edit: The point is the policy space available to you has nothing to do with national debt and everything to do with politics, the same in the past as now.
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The research is there, some promising results, too. It just never gets to the people who need it. OK, maybe it will in another 20 years.
"What if the side effects are bad, we need more testing". How about you let those who suffer decide? No? OK then.
"What if the side effects are bad, we need more testing". How about you let those who suffer decide? No? OK then.
We have a problem where approved = mandatory for Medicare to cover, so that even if you are willing to independently pay for whatever special medication or treatment you want to take a chance on, letting you do it would mean (because of poorly-thought-through regulations) buying one for everyone with the same condition whether it turned out to work for you or not. There's an enormous incentive for regulators to act as doctors, deciding what to prescribe, rather than as safety testers keeping obvious poisons out.
We’ll eventually cure Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, cancer(s). Maybe in 20, maybe in 50,…
Like money compounding over time, more invested in research would likely compound over time. For example, all the science and technology we will have by the year 2100 could be had by 2050 if we invested $X more over the next 28 years?
Like money compounding over time, more invested in research would likely compound over time. For example, all the science and technology we will have by the year 2100 could be had by 2050 if we invested $X more over the next 28 years?
is it still "child proof"?
>is it still "child proof"?
I'm a dad, and I have a soapbox to stand on and talk about child proof container. I have memories of my young children discovering over-the-counter pills and rat poison.
BUT, there is a distinct population of people who don't need or want child proof pill protection, and they should be served, too.
I'm a dad, and I have a soapbox to stand on and talk about child proof container. I have memories of my young children discovering over-the-counter pills and rat poison.
BUT, there is a distinct population of people who don't need or want child proof pill protection, and they should be served, too.
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I'm not advocating for anything, I am wondering if there were design compromises necessary in a pure boolean fashion (which will then lead to wondering if both audiences can be served adequately with one single design)
That makes sense. I'm always interested in solutions that can meet two very different groups at the same time
I used to work in a drug store. An older gentleman used to come in and say "Don't put my prescriptions in child-proof bottles because I don't have any children at home to open them for me."
One big question unanswered by the article: how effective is this design?
I don’t get it. How does it work?
I have never seen a website with so many pop-ups. I counted 6 while visiting this website on Safari. It really makes me question my choices on why I'm even browsing the internet not through Firefox, but rather than Safari. I do it with Firefox every now and than, but still.
Either way, couldn't read the article in this state.
Either way, couldn't read the article in this state.
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While I absolutely approve of this, I’m constantly amazed at how far we’re (and mainly the US) is willing to go for ridiculously small percentages of the population. Parkinson’s is estimated to be about 1% of the US, but now every pharmacy in the country needs to buy and stock these bottles?
Every time I’ve been to a pharmacy in the US in the last 20 years, they’ve had an option for “arthritis” bottles - something that isn’t child-proof, has a big top, etc. That is not going to help you dispense the medication, but it seems obvious it would help someone with Parkinson’s open it.
In Europe everything (literally everything) comes in a box in blister packs. I can’t imagine trying to open those with Parkinson’s.
Every time I’ve been to a pharmacy in the US in the last 20 years, they’ve had an option for “arthritis” bottles - something that isn’t child-proof, has a big top, etc. That is not going to help you dispense the medication, but it seems obvious it would help someone with Parkinson’s open it.
In Europe everything (literally everything) comes in a box in blister packs. I can’t imagine trying to open those with Parkinson’s.
>While I absolutely approve of this, I’m constantly amazed at how far we’re (and mainly the US) is willing to go for ridiculously small percentages of the population. Parkinson’s is estimated to be about 1% of the US, but now every pharmacy in the country needs to buy and stock these bottles?
Where did it say anyone has to stock these bottles? The article describes people who are 3D printing them: "Because of this thousands of people responded to Brian’s post and are now printing the bottle."
Where did it say anyone has to stock these bottles? The article describes people who are 3D printing them: "Because of this thousands of people responded to Brian’s post and are now printing the bottle."
Nowhere, but unless you’re an idiot you know that’s where it’s going.
A billion extra pounds of plastic created every year and eventually going into the ocean.
A billion extra pounds of plastic created every year and eventually going into the ocean.
Are there any other instances of similar TikTok memes turning in to US federal legislation? There are plenty of bad regulations on the books but I don't see any reason to look at an article about a clever 3D printed device and immediately jump to the idea that it will somehow get added to the ADA.
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Cookie shit.
SIX huge ads for a tweet and 100 words of content.
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Join!
JFC.
I can create a better revenue strategy while making the site much less viewer hostile, hire me.
On topic, bottles for shaky hands, yes, that's exactly what our society will come up with instead of allowing people to try more experimental medication.
SIX huge ads for a tweet and 100 words of content.
Subscribe!
Join!
JFC.
I can create a better revenue strategy while making the site much less viewer hostile, hire me.
On topic, bottles for shaky hands, yes, that's exactly what our society will come up with instead of allowing people to try more experimental medication.
I was going to comment this! Also asking for push notifications too.
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Smack in the middle of the page is a TikTok video with obnoxious music, completely irrelevant to the article. What is the point? Showing TikTok that I accessed the page?
It boggles my mind that such things - in an "advanced society" - are still not solved.