The "KUKA KR5 Sixx CR" cleanroom robot from KUKA Robotics Corp. (Clinton Township, MI) integrates easily because of its tabletop design and small size. The device features six axes of motion, a 650-mm reach, a 5-kg payload capacity, and computer-based control. The unit is rated class 5 according to DIN EN ISO 14644-1 and class 100 according to US Federal Standard 209 E.

Products requiring maximum moisture protection may rely on desiccants. Although desiccants typically are inserted into the package by dropping a small pouch or canister into the container, today it's possible to integrate the water-vapor-absorbing material into a component of the container or the container itself. Simulation programs also can help fine tune desiccant specification ("SimulSorb" modeling service, Multisorb Technologies, Buffalo, NY).

Advances in inhaler design make it possible to abandon chlorofluorocarbon propellants and enable the development of dry-powder technology and products such as "Exubera" inhaled insulin (Pfizer Inc., New York).

The advent of the prefilled syringe has reduced the chance of mixing errors and contamination during preparation, and dose mismeasurement. It also simplifies self-injection, saves time for hospital personnel, eliminates needle reuse, and lessens the chance of needle-related injuries (prefilled syringes, Vetter Pharma-Turm, Inc., Yardley, PA).

Advances in equipment

Equipment advances have increased productivity and reduced costs by offering higher speeds, hygienic design, quick changeover, low manpower requirements, expedited validation, and automated record-keeping. In addition, many material and container advances such as prefilled syringes, blow–fill–seal containers, and transdermal products depend on highly customized machines because drug and package are inextricably linked.

Automation is also now applied to material handling and quality control in the form of an increased use of robots and machine vision. Robots have even moved into the cleanroom.

In some cases, the cleanroom itself is being replaced by isolator-equipped filling lines that enclose all critical areas and control the air quality and flow inside to maintain pristine conditions.

Advances in logistics

Once a drug product leaves the manufacturer, it faces a potentially hostile environment. Insulated packaging and refrigerants, and temperature monitoring devices such as time–temperature indicators and data loggers ensure the safe arrival of sensitive pharmaceuticals and vaccines.

Some of today's advanced temperature loggers are inexpensive enough to be used for a single trip. Other monitoring devices combine temperature logging with RFID technology.

Now moving from the pallet and case level to the item level, RFID tagging is most commonly being used to provide the product information needed to satisfy retailer mandates. RFID also can support the pedigree requirements being put in place by a growing number of states. Reading item-level RFID tags at each point in the supply chain helps prevent counterfeiting and diversion, authenticates products, identifies bottlenecks, and provides improved inventory control. RFID systems rely on a customized combination of tags, readers, and software to carry and capture the item-level data as products move through the supply chain.

What does the future hold?

Packaging innovations have done an outstanding job in improving compliance, preventing medication errors, and discouraging counterfeiting. These advancements ensure quality for the consumer, and improve productivity and reduce costs for drugmakers.