# The GOLD-PCP Study: Clinician Insights on Person-Centric Packaging Design of a Triple Fixed-Dose Combination in Type 2 Diabetes Care

## TL;DR

This study explores how clinicians in India perceive the benefits of person-centric packaging for a diabetes medication, finding it improves adherence and simplifies treatment.

## Contribution

The study provides novel insights into clinician perceptions of person-centric packaging's impact on diabetes care and adherence.

## Key findings

- Clinicians reported improved patient adherence, therapy simplification, and medication identification with the FDC and PCP.
- The floral PCP design was linked to increased patient preference and reduced pharmacy substitution and missed doses.
- A strong correlation was found between reduced pill burden and improved adherence perceptions.

## Abstract

Introduction: 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.

Methods: 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.

Results: 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).

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

Conclusion: 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.