As we hurtle towards the end of January (already you say????) it is time to focus the mind again on packaging legislation.

We are routinely coming across pharma companies (small & large) who just don’t keep up with or monitor changes in packaging legislation, that will have a major impact on their businesses.

A good example is Braille legislation which is now MANDATORY for ALL pharma packs sold in Europe and has to be in place (i.e. on packs on the market) within the next 7 MONTHS.

As a consequence of non-compliance, an estimated 20% of pharma companies could have their products de-listed and taken off the market. So why do companies ignore it?

The following link will take you to a very interesting and comprehensive article on the European Pharmaceutical Manufacturer (EPM) magazine website: Braille labelling on medicines packaging

This article will give you some good tips on how to ensure that you comply and a summary of it has been printed in the latest version of the EPM printed magazine. Chris Penfold

I find it hard to believe that heating material to 500 degrees celseus in order to ‘recycle’ it can be truely environmentally friendly.  Surely the amount of energy needed isn’t going to be offset by the materials that can be salvaged, particularly when you consider that more energy will be needed to reprocess the reclaimed materials as well.

This article by Josh Brooks shows that the technology is now there, but is it really the right way to go? (Jane)

Commercial UK recycling of aseptic cartons, toothpaste tubes and pouches is to move a step closer when a little-known recycling technology company opens a showcase site later this year.  To read more go to the full article at packagingnews.co.uk

A recent Los Angeles Times article examines how an increase in counterfeit condoms in China has health officials fearing the worst — the products “may in fact spread infectious diseases, tarnishing the axiom that condoms mean safe sex.”

The newspaper continues, “Authorities estimate that up to a third of the contraceptives used in some parts of China are counterfeits, despite improvements in state food and drug oversight. None of the counterfeits are properly sterilized, and others are of such inferior quality that they could rupture during use.”

The article details how authorities are attempting to track down what they estimate are more than one million condoms distributed throughout China, and notes how the knock-off condoms were uncovered in discount stores in New York, Texas and Virginia in 2008.

Thanks to @TheBodyGlobal for bringing our attention to this article via Twitter. More articles like this can be read at: www.thebody.com

This is a fantastic example of materials innovation by Queen’s University Belfast in the growing area of drug-device combination products, moving beyond just the drug component by adding some stimulus-sensitive property to allow the catheter to respond to a potential infection. Watch this space to keep up with any further developments in this area. Chris Penfold

A polymer that combines drug-eluting and self-cleansing agents could reduce the risk of bacterial infection through urinary catheters, say researchers at the University.

The material, derived from esters of acrylic and methacrylic acid, is melt-extruded in a confidential multilayer extrusion mechanism to produce a catheter surface that continuously delivers antimicrobial agents over prolonged periods, minimising bacterial colonisation.

‘Although medical device technology has made significant advancements, the inherent problems associated with implanted urinary devices and the significant role microbial biofilms play in device-related infection are now widely recognised as major disadvantages of an otherwise highly effective treatment strategy’, says Dr Gavin Andrews, who is leading the project at the University’s School of Pharmacy.

Via Materials World Magazine, 01 Jan 2010

Click on the following link to read the full article Self-cleansing medical devices

Sterling Anthony has given some detailed technical advice we may all wish to consider for the palletisation of our products.  Annie Dallison

 It’s not an appealing topic, but it has grabbed recent headlines.

The Tylenol national recall—ongoing at the time of this article’s publication—is a reminder that wood pallets can be the source of packaging/product contamination. Such a capability is reason for brand owners to have in place a Pallet Purity Program (PPP).

Written by Sterling Anthony, CPP.  Published in Packworld.com 20th January 2010 to read the full article to follow this link http://bit.ly/5uLMHF

As we move into the second week following the Haitian earthquake, things have been fraught for the local population, most of whom have been without food, water, electricity, or a roof over their heads. During that period dead bodies have been piling up all over the place, including hospital car parks where medical supplies have been in short supply and many of the surgical operations that have been carried out, have been done without anaesthetic.

Medical, food & water supplies packaged to survive a harsh environment

Although of no consolation to those that have perished over the past week, luckily the logistical situation is improving now that US ships have arrived and helicopters are finally getting to the places they are needed with those essential supplies. It is at times like this that we are reminded of the true worth of packaging,  in an environment where there are no fridges to keep things cool and packaging has to perform an even more essential role than normal in a very hostile environment. The packaging contains, avoiding spillage. It protects against crushing, vermin & pilfering. It preserves, providing protection for the products within and extended shelf life. It enables ease of transport, whether by plane, truck or onwards by hand and lastly it informs, providing vital information on contents, storage, dosage and application.

In summary, it provides a lifeline where, without it, medical supplies would arrive dirty and non-sterile, food would ’spoil’ within hours and water would become contaminated, leading to dysentery and further distress and trauma. So, packaging, where on earth would we be without it? Chris Penfold

We thought this article was worth communicating further as the issues McNeil have experienced may be impacting the packaging/products for other companies.

Annie Dallison

FDA has issued a warning letter to McNeil Healthcare stating that its Jan. 8 inspection of the company’s Las Piedras, Puerto Rico, location identified significant cGMP violations. Since 2008, McNeil has received odor complaints regarding certain Tylenol products. In 2009, McNeil began recalling bottled OTC products after discovering that packaging may have been contaminated with a pallet pesticide. The recall now numbers 60 million bottles.

http://bit.ly/7OeQMT

GSK were alerted to counterfeit products by customers.  On inspection of the packaging there was a number of inconsistencies between the authentic and fake packs the difference in the product however are more serious.

This is yet another counterfeit issue  raised, surely this case and others demonstrate the size of the  opportunities for the packaging industry to deliver smart and cost effective solutions.

Annie Dallison

FDA is warning consumers about counterfeit Alli reportedly sold over the Internet. Testing by manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline has revealed that the fake products contain the controlled substance sibutramine, not contain orlistat, the active ingredient in its product. FDA warns that this fake version of Alli 60 mg capsules (120 count refill kit) could be harmful if used improperly.

Via PPM News 20th January 2010. You can read the full article by clicking: http://bit.ly/5y3Pxy

Interesting move from Nestle, who will be next to follow?  There is definitely a market out there, and as the average age of the population rises and people live longer it’s an area of the market that is likely to grow in size. I hope they’ve got the packaging right though – easy to open closure and legible text will be a must! (Jane)

Nestlé has launched a 200mL nutrient drink in Switzerland targeting the malnourished elderly – a segment of the population it says is deficient in key nutrients such as vitamin D, calcium and protein.

via Nestlé target elderly with high-dose drink.

The development of both the BSI & CEN standards for Braille on Pharmaceutical Packaging have taken years of dedication from the Working Groups with clear commendation coming from the RNIB for the support they have received from the Packaging Industry.

The following article provides an interesting insight into the issues encountered from the RNIB perspective. It clearly demonstrates the amount of work and angst that has taken place over the past few years to make this happen and reach this breakthrough milestone. Three years ago many people thought that this initiative would never happen. It demonstrates what can be achieved by a common focus and working as a team to overcome all of the hurdles and we at Design Cognition Ltd (DCL) are proud to have been involved in these Working Groups at ‘the cutting edge’ and having been personally involved myself, wish to offer my thanks to all involved for their support and mutual respect.

 As I’m sure you will appreciate, to implement successful Braille packaging solutions for the client there is a lot of work involved from a technical & aesthetic point of view, requiring much ‘horse-trading’ to ensure that the needs of all stakeholders are met. Luckily at DCL we have the skills to understand & empathise with these juxtaposed issues and for many of our clients have delivered Braille solutions inclusive of artworks in a timely, efficient and sympathetic manner that delighted them. If you’d like any further information on Braille or ‘hands on’ help from people that have practical experience and have been through the loop, check out: www.thepharmagateway.com/about and get in touch. (Anne Dallison)