Keystone Partners with Med-Con Technologies to Digitalize Clinical Trials
(Courtesy of Keystone Folding Box Co.)
Keystone Folding Box Co., a leading provider of paperboard packaging solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Med-Con Technologies, a global provider of clinical trial adherence technology solutions. The collaboration enhances Keystone’s Key-Pak® child-resistant blister cards by integrating them with Med-Con’s medication adherence prompting and monitoring application, transforming the packaging into an interactive real-time adherence data solution for clinical trials.
Key-Pak® has long been a packaging format trusted by pharma companies during phase II and III clinical studies. The Key-Pak wallet card helps improve patient compliance and simplify medication management. Widely used across global clinical trials for over a decade, its intuitive, calendar-based design is both patient-friendly and compliant with child-resistant regulations in the U.S. and other markets.
The latest enhancement adds a digital layer: each Key-Pak® blister card includes a unique 2D data matrix barcode, either printed on the clinical label or printed directly on the package. Trial participants use the Med-Con app to scan the barcode, verifying their dose and automatically logging the event to a secure cloud server. This real-time data collection ensures accuracy and improves trial integrity by reducing reliance on self-reporting and manual pill counts. If a scan is missed, reminders are sent to the patient, and if they fail to comply the study staff is alerted.
This cost-effective solution does not rely on any integrated electronics or embedded components, making it an affordable, scalable option for clinical trials. Without additional hardware or smart devices, sponsors and study coordinators gain immediate access to adherence data, allowing them to identify dosing deviations early and intervene when necessary. The Med-Con app further supports participant compliance by sending daily dose reminders and alerts via customizable push notifications. Patients can confirm medication intake quickly via a barcode scan, leveraging the phone’s camera, creating a seamless user experience that supports better adherence. That app is customizable for different protocols and works in any language.
Sponsors have provided positive feedback and testimonials indicating that this solution is capable of reducing adherence errors and improving the consistency of collected data. It represents a high-impact advancement in trial oversight and engagement with patients.
Importantly, the upgraded Key-Pak® offers these capabilities at a fraction of the cost of electronic packaging or ingestible sensor technologies, making digital adherence tracking accessible without straining trial budgets. This innovation aligns with increasing FDA interest in digital adherence tools for enhancing data quality and patient safety in clinical trials.
Keystone Folding Box Co. and Med-Con Technologies are committed to advancing the future of clinical trials with simple, scalable, and effective solutions that empower study teams and participants alike. The enhanced Key-Pak® platform marks a significant advancement in enabling real-time adherence monitoring and streamlined clinical trial management.
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