For one global manufacturing team within a top pharma company, the A Life in a Day experience did more than create emotional impact – it sparked immediate and actionable change.
With this team working in manufacturing, they don’t typically engage directly with patients on a daily basis, however their participation in the A Life in a Day experience led to a new understanding that drove immediate change and improved patient outcomes. Through the experience of A Life in a Day of a person over 65 who self-administers medication, the team saw, perhaps for the first time, just how complex and overwhelming that patient experience can be.
Seeing the unseen: A window into the patient experience
The experience began with a seemingly simple task: organise your day around multiple medications. Each came intentionally with vague instructions, small print, and packaging that mirrored what patients often receive. What began as a practical challenge quickly evolved into a deeper emotional journey. Participants felt the confusion, frustration, and anxiety that come with trying to navigate unclear medication schedules, particularly for those managing multiple health conditions.
But, as with all A Life in a Day challenges, the real turning point for this task came with one powerful, revelatory moment. Upon opening their pill boxes, participants discovered medication already inside, implying they had missed a dose the day before. This small detail triggered a flood of questions: Did I take it yesterday? Did I take the right one? What happens if I missed a dose?
These are the real, often invisible struggles patients face, struggles that the manufacturing team had not previously been exposed to.
Immediate action and meaningful change
Moved by this insight, the team quickly shifted from empathy to action. They began reviewing their medication packaging through a patient-centric lens. Font sizes were reassessed to ensure readability, and instructions were rewritten for clarity, using plain language that non-medical users could easily understand.
Another important realisation was the role colour can play in distinguishing medications. The team started exploring colour differentiation strategies to help patients easily identify the right medication at the right time. Not only did this have a clear benefit for patients, but the team also recognised a potential competitive advantage in the market: packaging that was both functional and empathetic.
Caregivers also stood to benefit. With clearer labelling and easier-to-understand instructions, those supporting patients would gain peace of mind, reducing the mental load that often comes with managing someone else’s medication.
Empathy as a catalyst for innovation
Moved by this insight, the team quickly shifted from empathy to action. They began reviewing their medication packaging through a patient-centric lens. Font sizes were reassessed to ensure readability, and instructions were rewritten for clarity, using plain language that non-medical users could easily understand.
Another important realisation was the role colour can play in distinguishing medications. The team started exploring colour differentiation strategies to help patients easily identify the right medication at the right time. Not only did this have a clear benefit for patients, but the team also recognised a potential competitive advantage in the market: packaging that was both functional and empathetic.
Caregivers also stood to benefit. With clearer labelling and easier-to-understand instructions, those supporting patients would gain peace of mind, reducing the mental load that often comes with managing someone else’s medication.
