News from Europe's pharmaceutical manufacturing industry coupled with upcoming events, and exclusive articles and interviews from industry experts. WEEKLY
Strategically positioned printing, adhesive, die-cuts and tear strip create a child-resistant compliance pack.
According to study leader Ulrich Tacke, if daily visits for supervised drug administration could be replaced by take-home
medication, the potential cost savings could amount to €500 per patient per week. In the next phase of the study, Tacke plans
to combine the package with real-time transmission of data from readers in patients' homes. Data transmission would enable
daily monitoring and make it possible for treatment staff to make contact within hours of observing an irregularity in taking
the drug (Pharma DDSi wallet pack, Stora Enso, Helsinki, Finland).
Blister packaging machine with tool-less changeover and many easy-to-integrate options simplifies production of compliance
packaging.
The Innovative Design prize for a yet-to-be-commercialized concept was awarded to a cartonlike plastic bottle with an F=1
child-resistant rating. A simple, push-down-and-slide motion removes the cap and provides access to the blister cards inside.
Because the outer package provides child resistance, the burst strength of the pill cavity on the blister card can be minimized,
thus improving senior friendliness. Highly portable as well as extremely sturdy, the container is easy to carry and withstands
daily handling even with long-term regimens.
We'll be seeing more ...
In addition, the broad surfaces provide ample space for branding and product information. Brand distinction can be increased
by customizing the bottle color, size, or label design. The HCPC judges noted, "At last someone has designed a unit dose with
a child-resistant feature that doesn't have to be a permanent part of the package." They also appreciated the fact that the
package is the size of a typical weekly wallet card, but incorporates four weeks of therapy (Compliance in a Bottle, AmerisourceBergen
Packaging Group, Columbus, OH).
Blister-pack solutions
Compliance pack benefits
HCPC competition winners represent just a few of the compliance packages available. A recently introduced compliance pack
features a thin, durable outer plastic shell to protect tablets along with a calendarized blister card. It is designed to
hold large tablets and support twice-daily dosing regimens (Shellpak 170, MeadWestvaco, Richmond, VA).
A competition of compliance packaging.
A related design combines a compact size with an attractive appearance. It consists of an outer protective paperboard carton
integrated with a blister pack and leaflet or insert. To simplify sourcing and packaging-line operation, informational leaflets
can be inserted into the top flap of the package before it's shipped to the drug maker for filling (Dosepak Express, MeadWestvaco).
According to consumer research, patients rate the package as "extremely" or "very easy" to use.
