Thought Leadership: Innovation by Design — the World’s First and Only Paper Prescription Pill Bottle for Better People and Planet Wellness
Every year, billions of plastic pill bottles end up in landfills and oceans, creating a toxic waste problem that devastates ecosystems. Advertising agency, Publicis Health, reported in 2021 that in the United States alone, the use of plastic prescription bottles contributes over 703,125 tons of non-recyclable waste annually. That number has only increased since then.
In fact, according to a study published in the International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, each year over two billion prescription bottles are discarded in the United States alone. That study also reflects that an estimated 90% of those bottles, typically made from non-recyclable plastics, end up in landfills, further contributing to air, water, and soil pollution.
Recognizing the urgent need for a sustainable alternative, Parcel Health introduced Tully Tube™ — the first and only paper prescription pill bottle designed to address this challenge.
Created by Melinda Su-En Lee, PharmD and Mallory Barrett, award-winning industrial designer, Tully Tube combines:
Sustainability with its 100% paper-based core, coupled with
Unmatched safety, from its recyclable plastic child-resistant cap, and Practicality as a result of the proprietary compostable layering and coating stack, Parcel Coat™.
Tully Tube is poised to revolutionize medication packaging.
With support from early pharmacy partners like Blueberry Pharmacy in Pittsburgh, PA, and Dave’s Pharmacy in Omaha, NE, and thought-leading health systems, like Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, PA, Parcel Health is working to replace traditional plastic vials with eco-friendly solutions that protect both patients and the environment.
An Eco-Friendly Innovation
Tully Tube’s core is crafted entirely from recyclable and biodegradable materials, eliminating plastic, artificial glues, and toxic dyes. Its cap, made from recyclable plastic, gives the child-resistance most pharmacists and patients require. Even so, dexterity testing proved that the cap could easily be opened by older-adult patients.
Tully Tube meets the FDA’s requirements for water resistance and light protection and boasts extra sturdiness to help ensure medications remain secure and effective. Once emptied, Tully Tube’s base can be recycled with paper materials or composted, giving back to the earth instead of polluting it. Its cap and Capdapter™ — the unique mechanism that securely attaches the child-resistant cap to the compostable paper base, can be recycled.
Parcel Health, makers of Tully Tube, the world’s first and only paper prescription packaging.
“Our vision was to create a truly sustainable alternative to plastic pill bottles that doesn’t compromise safety or usability,” said Melinda Su-En Lee, co-founder of Parcel Health. “Tully Tube is not only environmentally friendly but also user-friendly for both patients and pharmacists.”
Impactful and Practical Design
Tully Tube addresses several key challenges posed by traditional plastic vials:
Environmental Impact: With billions of plastic vials discarded each year, Tully Tube reduces waste and helps combat plastic pollution.
Pharmacy Efficiency: Its thoughtful design improves workflows and aligns with automation needs, to help pharmacies scale its use and reach more patients.
Patient-Friendly Features: Designed to be child-resistant yet elderly-friendly, Tully Tube prioritizes safety and accessibility.
A Growing Movement Toward Sustainability
Parcel Health began testing innovative packaging ideas through a nationwide pilot program involving 10 independent pharmacies, gathering valuable feedback to refine the design from a paper box — Phill Box — to the newest design that more closely resembles what pharmacies and patients are familiar with — just better. Early pharmacy adopters like Blueberry Pharmacy and Dave’s Pharmacy have championed the initiative, helping to build momentum for broader adoption.
“These partnerships are critical to driving awareness and demonstrating the benefits of Tully Tube in real-world pharmacy settings,” said Mallory Barrett, co-founder of Parcel Health. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with forward-thinking pharmacies that share our commitment to protect people and preserve the planet, and to delight their patients with engaging branding, beautiful designs and even light-hearted seasonal prints that bring added joy.”
A Vision for the Future
Tully Tube’s success highlights the growing demand for eco-friendly solutions in the pharmaceutical industry. Parcel Health aims to expand its reach, engaging with larger pharmacy chains and healthcare providers to bring eco-friendly packaging to more patients.
“We believe Tully Tube can transform how medications are packaged and dispensed,” said Dr. Lee. “It’s an opportunity to make a lasting impact on both healthcare and the environment.”
As Parcel Health continues to innovate and collaborate with pharmacies nationwide, Tully Tube is poised to become the gold standard for sustainable medication packaging, setting a new benchmark for environmental responsibility in healthcare.
For more information, visit Parcel Health Resources to learn how you can join the movement for greener prescription packaging.