Every 5 minutes a person dies of an overdose.
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, remains the primary driver of overdose deaths, responsible for nearly 70-80% of all overdose deaths in 2023.
One of these oxycodone pills contains a fatal amount of fentanyl.
Would you be able to tell the difference?
How might we redesign the packaging of Narcan (naloxone) to improve its usability and reduce health risks through education, accessibility, and convenience?
In a survey of 105 people aged 18-26 …
56% have been or had someone close to them roofied
68% have no plan if roofied or if drugs are laced
61.5% do not know how to use Narcan
If naloxone is a life saving drug, why is it not everywhere?
How do you administer Narcan spray?
HOLD the nasal spray device with your thumb on the bottom of the plunger
INSERT the nozzle into either nostril
PRESS the plunger firmly to give dose
Initial ideation focused on the pre-existing Narcan delivery: plunged intranasally.
Prototyping for user testing resulted favorably towards shapes that were uncommon. However, this is a medication used in time sensitive moments of intense pressure, and thus the form factor needs to be driven by simplicity and ease of use.
How could I make a relatively simplistic form even more accessible? I further explored methods of dispensing beyond plunging.
Categories were further refined into motions of twisting, squeezing, pulling and pushing.
experiments in TPU
In addition to being sold over the counter in pharmacies, how can we increase the awareness of opioid overdose rescue, making naloxone as ubiquitous as other safety equipment?
Examples of existing naloxone kits found in my surroundings
To increase the availability of naloxone in public spaces, the housing form ideally lives on the wall in a centralized location.
The handle positioned on the bottom increases accessibility for differing heights as well as allowing for a swift motion of pulling down and away from the wall.
Squeezing mechanics minimizes confusion on amount of applied pressure
Appeals to a greater range of hand sizes and pressure abilities.
Form is sturdier and decreases room for error.
Clear storage box signals maintenance and need for refill.
Intentionally does not include alarm to reduce agitation in a high stress situation, as well as to deter users from feeling as though they will be punished.
