Table of Contents
DETROIT — Meijer Inc. is slated to offer a novel medication management product called Pill Pouch at select stores in Michigan this month.
 |
The Pill Pouch aims to make it easier for people to manage multiple medications. |
Pill Pouch, invented by Michigan resident Kathi Sitek, is designed to eliminate confusion for patients managing multiple prescription medicines, in turn helping to improve medication adherence.
The compact, foldup case holds a sample of each pill inside a clear plastic pocket. Across from each pill is information on the drug and instructions, such as the name of the medication, strength, dosage and usage — making it convenient visual reference tool when taking daily medication, setting up a weekly pill box, or visiting the doctor, pharmacy or hospital in an emergency.
A clear pocket on the front of the Pill Pouch holds a card with such information as the patient’s name, physician, pharmacy and allergies.
"A lack of medication compliance often leads to additional health issues and drives up the cost of health care," stated Sitek, founder of Pill Pouch LLC. "Although this product is not high-tech, it goes a long way toward helping patients, particularly the elderly, stay on their regimens and stay healthy."
Sitek developed the Pill Pouch to help her 90-year-old mother, Stella, stay compliant with her eight-medication daily regimen. According to Sitek, the Pill Pouch is a simple way to organize and better understand the medications one takes, enabling patients to take control of an otherwise precarious process.
A client of Wayne State University business incubator TechTown, Sitek worked closely with a team of professional business coaches to develop Pill Pouch’s business plan and land the distribution deal with Meijer.
In conjunction with Pill Pouch’s market entry via Meijer pharmacies, Pill Pouch is partnering with local nonprofit the Pink Fund to raise funds for breast cancer. The Pink Fund provides financial aid to breast cancer patients active in treatment. According to Sitek, $1 from the sale of every Pink Pill Pouch will support the Pink Fund’s mission.
