Quick Hits: FDA Says U.S. is Running Low on Anxiety Meds

A common antidepressant is in short supply as prescriptions rise in the United States.

Jun 8th, 2020

Zoloft

Verywell Mind

A recent NBC News article discussed a surge in demand for anxiety and depression medications that are causing shortages. The FDA posted reports of shortages of the common antidepressant Zoloft and it’s generic equivalent, sertraline, just two days after a Johns Hopkins survey that revealed increased feelings of distress and despair in U.S. adults.

Pfizer, maker of Zoloft, says its manufacturing can keep up with existing demand, but cannot keep pace with new prescriptions. Accord Healthcare, Inc., maker of sertraline, said it can’t source the drug’s active ingredient “due to the impacts caused by COVID-19,” and estimates a 60-day shortage.

Pelican BioThermal’s deep frozen products use phase change material (PCM) and dry ice systems to provide frozen payload protection meant for durations from 72 hours to 144+ hours.

Pelican BioThermal: Expanded Deep Frozen Product Range

Deep frozen options for all phases of drug discovery and distribution to meet COVID-19 vaccine shipping requirement.

Winpack Lane re-engineered its packaging technology in order to meet specific conditions relevant to the coronavirus vaccine.

Three Companies Collaborate to Meet Need for COVID Vaccine Distribution

Company gives up place in line for urgent demand of coronavirus vaccine packaging machine.

Photo Courtesy: ORBIS

Four Reasons Reusable Packaging Is the Best Prescription for Pharma

The Inner Loop–blog of the Reusable Packaging Association–releases its latest article on reusable packaging in the pharmaceutical industry and how COVID-19 has affected it.

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COVID-19 Vaccine: HHS Partnering with Major Pharmacy Chains

The partnership will cover approximately 60% of pharmacies throughout the U.S. states, D.C, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The VR-72 is designed to accommodate different types of code printing methods and inspection systems

WLS VR-72 Labeler for COVID-19 Vaccine Packaging

Wrap-around labeler with servo-driven modular design demoed at PACK EXPO Connects.

General Gus Perna, who leads Operation Warp Speed, speaking to 60 Minutes.

In the News: COVID-19 Vaccine Logistics

Temperature-controlled shipping remains in the mainstream media spotlight.

Pec2020 Big Ass Fans

Fighting COVID-19 with Big Ass Fans

The new Clean Air System uses ion and ultraviolet technology to eliminate airborne pathogens.

The company’s Viral Transport Media is available in the form of bulk tubes, large volume containers and a specimen kit,

LaunchWorks CDMO Approved to Provide Viral Transport Media

Launchworks CDMO added to FDA list of approved vendors for validating and distributing VTM, in accordance with COVID-19 EUA Transport Media Policy.

The partnership will include the provision and accelerated delivery of advanced visual inspection systems to help with potential solutions to the pandemic.

Partnership to Expedite Installation of Automated Inspection Equipment

Stevanato Group high-speed visual inspection machines will support biologic and vaccine programs at Catalent manufacturing sites in the US and Italy.

VTM tubes filled with liquid medium are used to store and transport nasal swabs for viruses including SARS-CoV-2.

COVID-19 Test Medium Production Ramped Up By 20,000% in Six Months

Viral Transport Media tubes filled with liquid media are used to store and transport nasal swabs for viruses including COVID-19. Sixteen integrated lines were designed, built and installed in 20 weeks to meet demand.

Plant and office closures.

Factory Plants and Offices Coming Out of COVID-19

Stats show improvements in quotation index levels but an increase of denial of access into CPG plants.

To ensure attendee safety, the organizers are working closely with local governments and authorities, and all future pharma events will feature the Informa AllSecure enhanced health and safety standards.

CPhI & Pharmapack Europe 2021: Live & Hybrid Events

A virtual CPhI China and online platforms will be launched to keep the industry connected throughout the year.

Keren Sookne, director of editorial content at Healthcare Packaging

Perspective: Pharma Supply Chain—Not Ready for a Vaccine Just Yet

While the desire to move at warp speed may be strong, manufacturers and regulators stay the course for safety.

SiO2 will manufacture and deliver 10mL vials and 1mL syringes to the Canadian government

SiO2 and Canadian Government Enter into Agreement for Supply of Hybrid Vials and Syringes for COVID-19 Vaccines

Designed to be compatible with down to -80 degrees Celsius, these products are suitable for a wide degree of thermal and supply chain situations.

TerraCycle Regulated Waste has launched an easy-to-use recycling system for single-use gloves and masks through their line of EasyPak Containers.

TerraCycle Regulated Waste Develops PPE Recycling System to Help Keep Essential Workers and the Planet Safe

Essential businesses no longer need to choose between their workers’ well-being and the health of the environment.

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Workers Wanted? Contact the Robot Employment Agency

Start-up MusashiAI introduces intelligent autonomous robots for quality inspection and forklift driving—allowing the redistribution of human labor to more value-added jobs.

Collection of hand sanitizers made to be ready-to-go and available as gels, wipes, and sprays.

As COVID-19 Concerns Continue, WWP Beauty Launches Line of Personal Protection Products

A collection of moisturizing hand sanitizers that are available in three different formats.

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Poseidon: Call to Participate in Pre-Commercial Ocean Freight Trials

COVID-19 immunization will need a staggering collaborative effort in intercontinental transportation. Pharmaceutical manufacturers are invited to register their interest in participating in the final Poseidon trials.

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Variable Barcodes to Boost COVID-19 Test Kit Experience

Scannable point of care tests were designed to increase test accuracy, collect data, and take the guesswork out of reading results.

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HCP Editors Talk: COVID-19 and Manufacturing

In this episode, we discuss concerns about cybersecurity, disaster prep, and using automation to work toward manufacturing a vaccine.

More in COVID-19

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Hand Sanitizer Spike Here to Stay

U.K. co-packers’ association reports that inquiries for personal care items rocketed by more than 500% shortly after the coronavirus lockdown was implemented.

Rendering of the Korozon System prototype for HVAC Systems

Industrial Air Purification System for Pathogen Disinfection

Ship & Shore Environmental's Korozon System is innovated to bring peace of mind back to the public amidst the rise of COVID-19 cases.

Volpak Lfat Tablet

Volpak Introduces Next Generation of FAT

Volpak, a Coesia company, developed a live remote FAT machine testing tool in response to clients who need to work remotely on machines and systems.

The Cobot Expo will take place online July 28-30.

Cobot Deployment Shines in COVID-19 Pandemic

Leading up to its virtual Cobot Expo this week, Universal Robots highlighted several cases where small companies have been using collaborative automation to keep production going amid the crisis.

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EDM Releases New Product Line Designed to Protect Patients During COVID-19

New equipment drapes protect medical imaging equipment and combat cross-contamination.

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Packaging Pros Bullish on Security & Salary Despite Uncertainty

Packaging seems insulated from much of the economic fallout of COVID-19, though not everyone is fairing equally. Women, for instance, seem to be entering the industry, and soon should be matriculating into higher salaried positions left by retiring men.

CPhI Festival of Pharma offers New Digital Experience in 2020

CPhI Worldwide in-person event now confirmed for 2021, with new digital exhibition launched to connect the global pharma industry in 2020.

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Recycling Takes Another Hit During Pandemic, Part II

The Coronavirus pandemic is creating a growing waste crisis even as we see images of the earth’s environment clearing from less pollution. A few months into the crisis, and the numbers are staggering.

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Q&A: MIT Operations Researcher Talks COVID-19 Vaccination Hurdles

An expert discusses some of the environmental, research, and packaging concerns in supplying populations with a COVID-19 vaccine.

A wide variety of process steps are required for the filling of vaccines – from washing and sterilizing the vials to filling and closing. All system components are tested and accepted as part of the CSPE approach at Optima in Schwaebisch Hall.

OPTIMA Supporting Catalent with New High-Speed Vial Filling Line for COVID-19 Vaccine Program

Fast track delivery of a complete filling solution under isolator

Pharma Packaging Companies Commit to Supply for COVID-19 Fight

Stevanato Group, SCHOTT, and Gerresheimer confirm the readiness to support future Covid-19 Vaccine with pharmaceutical containers.

Catalent Signs Agreement with AstraZeneca to Manufacture COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate

The agreement accelerates the rapid scale-up of capacity over the coming months to support the dedicated production of AZD1222.