The future of pharma packaging

With serialisation, each product or component is assigned a unique serial number or code,making it possible to trace items asthey move through the supply chainto the end user. These uniqueidentifiers are printed using coding ormarking equipment.

The ability to track and trace eachproduct and component throughout thesupply chain – from origin to expiration –makes it more difficult for counterfeitersto infiltrate the chain and pass off theirproducts as authentic.

With unique identifiers or seriliased codes on pharmaceutical packaging, all stakeholders in the supply chain can locate a product at any given point

Improved visibility is another reasonwhy manufacturers implementserialisation. All stakeholders in thesupply chain can locate a product orraw material at any given point.

Serialisation also helps to managerecalls more efficiently. It makes itmuch easier to locate and retractproducts, so fewer untainted productsare recalled because batches arequickly identifiable.

How it works is the codes aregenerated randomly or sequentially.Once the codes have been purchased,manufacturers print a 2D barcode onto the labels of each saleable unit andshipping case. The labels are scannedon the packaging line to determinewhere the unit must be packed.

Fix the challenge

One of the challenges of serialisation islabel redesign to allow space for the new2D barcode. While legislation demandsincreasingly detailed information to becontained on pharmaceutical and healthcare product labelling, often thisinformation does not fit on a standardlabel, or within the space providedon packaging.

Fix-a-Form informational booklet labelsfrom Pyrotec PackMedia offer significantbenefits for pharmaceutical andhealthcare applications. They extend thespace available for product descriptionsand user guidelines, safety messagesand contraindications, dosageinstructions, medical device instructionsand patient information leaflets. As ananti-counterfeiting measure, Fix-a-Formlabels are ideal for the 2D barcodesneeded for serialisation.

Affixing to almost any packagesurface, Fix-a-Form booklet labels offeran innovative and space-efficient wayto communicate detailed productinformation as well as include legislatedinformation without compromising onshelf appeal. They are available in avirtually unlimited range of shapes andsizes, which can be tailored to meetpackaging requirements.

When fully implemented, serialisationwill reduce theft and counterfeiting byincreasing transparency and visibilitythroughout the supply chain. It will alsoincrease the speed and reduce the cost ofproduct recalls. •

THE BENEFITS OF FIX-A-FORM BOOKLET LABELS

• clear, legible on-pack guidelines thatencourage correct product use and repeatpurchases

• information can be reproduced in multiplelanguages, extending the reach of on-packcommunication

• space to include 2D barcodes and otherlegislated information

• elimination of separate packaging, leaflets orlabels for wide product ranges

• minimised packaging waste

• labels are supplied on-reel for automaticapplication using standard labellingmachinery, resulting in uninterruptedproduction lines.

Pyrotec PackMedia www.packmedia.co.za