The GOLD-PCP Study: Clinician Insights on Person-Centric Packaging Design of a Triple Fixed-Dose Combination in Type...

Medication adherence remains a significant challenge in managing type 2 diabetes, particularly for patients on long-term polypharmacy. Fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) may improve adherence by reducing pill burden, while person-centric packaging (PCP) aims to enhance ease of use and identification. The GOLD-PCP study explored clinician perceptions of PCP's impact on adherence and treatment management in diabetes care.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 262 clinicians from India who had been prescribing this FDC with PCP for at least six months. Clinician perceptions were assessed through a validated 12-item questionnaire administered following structured round-table meetings. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation in IBM Corp. Released 2021. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 27. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.

Clinicians perceived improvements in patient adherence (83.2%), therapy simplification (82.1%), and medication identification (82.0%). Most (80.9%) believed the FDC helped reduce pill burden. The floral PCP design was perceived as helpful in increasing patient preference (78.6%), reducing pharmacy substitution (80.1%), and lowering missed doses (80.2%). A strong correlation was observed between perceived pill burden reduction and perceived adherence improvement (r = 0.883, p < 0.001).

This study assessed clinician perceptions only and did not include direct patient-level adherence measurements, objective adherence data, or patient-reported outcomes.

Clinicians perceived PCP as beneficial for adherence support and therapy management in type 2 diabetes. However, further patient-centered studies using objective adherence metrics are needed to validate these perceptions and determine causal relationships between packaging design and adherence outcomes.