Contract services
Contract manufacturers and packagers are investing in their operations to meet rising demand. Several firms have added capacity
for filling solid dosage forms in bottles (A+ Secure Packaging, Almac, Pharma Packaging Solutions, Reed-Lane).
Contact manufacturers have also invested in new lines dedicated to blister packaging. One blister line integrates blister
foil printing, checkweighing and vision inspection. The 200-per-minute line handles a range of materials, including polyvinyl
chloride (PVC), PVC/polyvinylidene chloride, Aclar, and aluminum/aluminum (UPS 4 blister line from Uhlmann, installed at Almac).
A UK-based specialist in clinical trials and small batches has installed an aseptic vial line for small-volume parenterals.
The line primarily fills volumes ranging from 2–20 mL, but could handle vials up to 100 mL (SCM Pharma).
A year-old stick-packaging line forms, fills, and seals 400 mg to 3 g of moisture-sensitive pharmaceuticals and probiotics
in narrow, foil-laminate packs. Especially well-suited to products for pediatric and geriatric populations that are intended
to be mixed with food, the fully integrated line operates in a humidity- and temperature-controlled environment. Rated at
1000 packs per minute, the line doses 10 packs at a time and loads finished packs into 7-, 14-, 28- or 56-count cartons (Stick-pack
contract packaging service, Ropack).
An on-site, visual inspection service provides equipment, certified technicians, and service without the capital investment,
integration, maintenance, and training issues associated with purchasing equipment. With several models available, equipment
can be matched to the application and installed in line or as a standalone unit. Scalable contracts adjust to changes in usage
(contract inspection service utilizing Viswill (formerly Kanebo) equipment, Visionspect Division of Daiichi Jitsugyo Viswill)
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