Pharmaceutical Technology Europe - November 2010 - (Page 7)

Packaging With increasing focus being placed by governments and regulators on improving the security of genuine pharmaceutical products, what measures are you putting in place to help ensure the security of your packaging? Q Giuseppe Cardini (Marchesini): The use of tamper-evident solutions varies worldwide as there are no standardised regulations. The simplest packaging integrity solution involves using glue sealing, which can be performed directly by the cartoner to speed-up production and reduce potential errors. However, the system is not flawless because all it takes is a heated blade to melt the glue. Another simple solution is to use a tamper-evident labeller. This is more reliable because it is difficult to tamper with an adhesive label without damaging the material. The label can also have logos and holograms. Traceability technologies have also been developed that can help battle counterfeits. These are extremely reliable, especially when combined with a tamper-evident system. Track and trace (T&T) systems were first developed 5 or 6 years ago, but are becoming more and more important nowadays in view of regulatory enforcements. Consolini (IMA): Our customers have asked us to adapt several of our systems to prevent the counterfeiting of pharmaceutical products packaged on our machines. Some of the measures adopted are the use of film for blisters, boxes with hologram images, the printing of bi-dimensional codes and the application of labels with magnetic codes. The two last technologies can also be used for cartons containing blisters and bottles. Peters (Gerhard Schubert): Securing the product in the package is typically a joint development between the manufacturer and the machine builder. In order to meet changing market requirements for secure package development, we establish a close collaboration between the supplier of the packaging materials, the machine manufacturer and the manufacturer of the products. Ideally, this approach leads to safe, costeffective and market-conforming packaging design. Schäfer (Optima): We are often asked to implement T&T devices in our lines to allow pharma companies to track their products throughout the supply chain, right down to the pharmacist. Implementing these isn’t a challenge; it’s just a question of what kind of codes have to be detected and how the information needs to be transferred to the IT department. 1 CONTENTS 12 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT 3 EMERGING MARKETS 13 LEAK DETECTION 7 ANTI-COUNTERFEITING 14 ROBOTICS 11 INNOVATION 15 TOP TECHNOLOGIES

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pharmaceutical Technology Europe - November 2010

Pharmaceutical Technology Europe - November 2010
Table of Contents
Pharmaceutical Technology Europe Poll Assesses the Most Important Feature of Pharmaceutical Secondary Packaging
Emerging Markets
Counterfeiting
Green Packaging and Processes
Innovation
Is Pharma Doing Enough to Reduce the Environmental Impact of Packaging?
Leak Detection of Pharma Packaging
Should Your Implement Robotics in Your Packaging Operations?
Twelve Latest Technologies Showcased

Pharmaceutical Technology Europe - November 2010