Some of us have difficulty with complying with our doctor's care instructions, especially those of us that lead fast-paced, sometimes even stressful lives. Yet our health is our most precious possession, and it's obviously in our best interests to follow our established regimen.

Neutroplast, and its spin-off firm BeyonDevices, have released two new "Smart Packaging" concepts that make it easier and more efficient for consumers to take medications that otherwise might be more difficult to deal with. For health professionals, it means enhancing patient adherence from the onset of device and drug development.

First, the firm has created a vaginal drug delivery system, especially indicated for quick yet gentle use. The applicator can be used to deliver a variety of targetted treatments in pill, capsule, or cream form, such as microbiocides, anti-bacterials, anti-fungals, or any drug that needs to be delivered systemically, as absorption for many of these proves quicker than if taken orally.

Comfortable for home self-administration, such as for hormone therapies or localized treatments, the new applicator differs from existing models in various ways – there are no sharp wedges, there is no vertical pressure during product application, the applicator can be pre-loaded by the patient, and it adapts to different morphologies. And even though the applicator is a patented, certified medical device, it's less costly than other solutions.

Neutroplast has also released a grounbreaking capsule-based dry powder inhaler. Unlike many traditional aerosol solutions, this new system provides a simple and effective way to deliver the maximum amount of inhaled powder medication without propellants, through the natural action of inhalation that provides the energy for the proper delivery of the drug powder. It's a passive device, meaning that once it’s loaded it relies only on the patient’s inhalation to operate. The inhaler is an excellent choice for a number of pharmaceuticals, such as bronchiodilators, anti-hypertensives, anti-microbials, pulmonary surfactants, or systemics such as for pain relief. It makes taking medication quicker, easier and in the long run, more cost effective.

Smart packaging isn't about re-inventing the wheel, it's about taking the industry in new directions and providing consumers with containers and devices that genuinely improve their ability to access and use a product. Neutroplast and BeyonDevices are leading the industry toward ensuring that smart packaging becomes the norm, not the exception.