MeadWestvaco Corp.
(
MWV
) has introduced Shellpak Renew, the latest design in the Shellpak
adherence packaging family. It will be launched at more than 3,600
Walmart pharmacies and is currently being used in nearly 2,000
other retail pharmacies across the U.S.
Shellpak Renew is a ready-to-dispense, recyclable package made
of tear-resistant paperboard, Natralock. It has a calendarized
blister package that helps in patients' adherence. Its color-coded
labels support pharmacy efficiency.
Moreover, Shellpak Renew has a child-resistant push button and
its easy-slide blister makes easier for seniors to handle the
package efficiently. Shellpak Renew, which is modeled on
MeadWestvaco's original Shellpak and developed on the feedback from
pharmacists and patients, comes in a smaller size that requires
less shelf space.
According to research findings, nearly half of all the patients
in the U.S. today do not take their medicines as prescribed. This
attitude ultimately results in worsening of diseases, leading to
increased hospitalizations and even death among patients. The study
reveals that the annual cost of non-adherence in the U.S. is
estimated to be $290 billion, representing 13% of total health care
expenditure.
Shellpak Renew helps in making medications easier for patients
besides improving their adherence to medications. Therefore, the
pharmacists can now spend more time counseling the patients.
MeadWestvaco intends to foray into the fields of adherence
packaging to establish a wider client base. Recently, the company
has acquired AARDEX Group, the leader in measuring patients'
adherence to medications. With this acquisition, the company's
portfolio expanded to offer a complete range of packaging, data
analysis and service solution that help in addressing the problem
of non-adherence to medications among patients.
MeadWestvaco has been implementing various policies to
strengthen its position in the global packaging market along with
combating the challenging market conditions. We believe that the
introduction of Shellpak Renew will help the company in
strengthening its position in the packaging market catering to the
needs of a wider customer base.
However, MeadWestvaco faces intense competition in each of its
businesses, in both domestic and international markets. It faces
tough competition from companies like
International Paper
(
IP
) and
Weyerhaeuser Co.
(
WY
).
Currently, MeadWestvaco retains a short-term Zacks #3 Rank
(Hold). We have a long-term Neutral recommendation on the
stock.
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