Ease-of-Use: Rexam 1-Clic Prescription Vial

   

The Arthritis Foundation’s Ease-of-Use Commendation recognizes products proven to make life easier for people who have arthritis and other physical limitations. These products are independently tested by experts and evaluated by people with arthritis. I have been asked to review a number of Ease-of-Use products during May, Arthritis Awareness Month in the US. My mother, who has moderate osteoarthritis in her hands, is helping by testing some of these products, as well. 

Have you ever get bested by a bottle of prescription medication? Y’know the childproof ones that require you to hold the cap down and turn at the same time. I've never been able to open those. And there you are, pain shooting into the stratosphere, the meds that can help you so near, yet so far away. Wouldn't it be nice if someone invented a bottle for prescription medication that was easier to use?

Well, someone has. More specifically, Rexam developed the 1-Clic Packaging System and it has received a Arthritis Foundation Ease-of-Use Commendation. Aside from the audible click that tells you whether the bottle is properly closed, this brilliant invention approaches a secure prescription bottle in another way. To open this one, you press down the tab just below the cap and turn the cap with your other hand.

Lucy was part of the assessment

"That’s easy!" Said my mother upon trying it. I believe that for the majority of people with arthritis, it would be. Very easy, as well as childproof in the same way that the regular prescription vials are.

However, for people like myself who live on the extreme end of the continuum with severe damage and deformity in their hands and very limited strength and dexterity, it may not be. I had a lot of trouble to pressing the tab. My left thumb could do it, but it hurt and as for my right thumb? Fuhgeddaboudit. My pharmacist gives me this type of caps on my vials, but they could be problematic if you have kids in the house.

Overall, this product is a definite improvement on what's previously been available.

edit: there have been a couple of comments remarking on how this tab system looks hard for aching fingers. I want to clarify that I think you have to be very wrecked in order not to be able to use it. My thumb joints are just that: very wrecked and unstable to boot. I think my problem relates more to the instability than the pain and other damage. It's worth giving it a try to see if it'd work for you - once the tab's down even a tiny bit, the cap turns easily.

Other bloggers involved in reviewing Ease-of-Use products are Felicia Fibro, Peachy Pains and Dog in the Dorm: Life with Holden.