Design for sustainability: analysis of the impact of the visual of packaging for the over-the-counter drug market

The work presents partial results of a research project with the objective of investigating to what extent the secondary packaging of over-the-counter medicines for pain and fever helps elderly consumers and visually impaired people in the purchase decision process and usability. This is research related to the sustainable development goal for the reduction of inequalities (SDG 10), since it addresses issues of accessibility to information and autonomy for purchasing decisions. To this end, the role of packaging is discussed with a focus on those drugs that do not require a medical prescription, highlighting their role as media supports. The profile of consumers and the technical guidelines for usability with medicine packaging are presented. Finally, a study with medication packaging for pain and fever relief is presented. The results demonstrate that visual composition can help in the purchase decision process and usability, but it can also hinder this process.