An OTC (Over-The-Counter) product is a drug or health product available without a doctor’s prescription. You can buy OTC products directly from a pharmacy, supermarket or online. That said, these products must comply with strict rules, both in terms of manufacturing and packaging.
Packaging design for OTC products, which includes over-the-counter products such as medicines, dietary supplements and personal care products, is crucial for a variety of reasons.
Here are five good reasons why:
1. Market differentiation: In a market saturated with similar products, packaging design is the key to differentiation. Well-designed packaging creates a positive first impression with consumers, encouraging them to choose their product from a multitude of options.
2. Communicating information: OTC products require detailed information, including dosages, active ingredients, contraindications and more. Good packaging design ensures that this crucial information is presented clearly and concisely, guaranteeing safety and consumer satisfaction.
3. Credibility and trust: Consumers are looking for OTC products they can trust. Careful, professional packaging design reinforces brand credibility, reassures customers about product quality and gives them confidence in their purchase.
4. Regulatory compliance: The OTC industry is subject to strict packaging and labelling regulations. A well thought-out packaging design ensures that all legal requirements are met, reducing the risk of non-compliance and potential litigation.
5. User Experience: Good packaging design takes into account the overall consumer experience. It must be ergonomic, easy to understand, quick to locate on shelves, and offer practical product use. A positive user experience promotes customer loyalty and encourages them to recommend the product to others.
In short, OTC packaging design goes far beyond aesthetics. It plays a vital role in product success, influencing purchasing decisions, ensuring regulatory compliance, boosting consumer confidence and enhancing the user experience.
A thoughtful packaging design strategy is a valuable investment for brands in this highly competitive sector.
The design of packaging for a product or range of OTC products must resonate with the target audience. You need to understand their concerns, expectations and needs to create packaging that will appeal to them, while reassuring them of quality and effectiveness.
At Cabana Séguin, we have top-level expertise in OTC packaging design. For over 25 years, our rigorous, creative team has managed to make OTC packaging highly attractive, both for private label brands as well as for national brands.
When we design OTC packaging, we ensure that it complies with the regulations set by authorities such as Health Canada, or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the USA. The design of the packaging and all its components must comply with specific guidelines relating to labeling, warnings and product claims.
Do you have a packaging design project for an OTC product in mind?
Contact us to help you get started.
