The obligation to serialize pharmaceuticals is affecting more and more markets. But the specific requirements regarding products, target markets and existing production environments differ widely, leading to many different approaches. The key question is: where in the production process is it most sensible to perform serialization?
There are many options, ranging from the application of serialization codes during the printing of offset sheets to the serialization of filled folding cartons in external dispatch warehouses. In many cases, the most pragmatic solution may be to serialize near the packaging lines. However, structural conditions are sometimes the limiting factor when it comes to retrofitting existing packaging lines: existing plants often cannot be extended as needed, since production space is valuable and limited.
A supplier of sophisticated serialization and track-and-trace products, Atlantic Zeiser has developed the ultra-compact MEDILINE T&T, a track-and-trace system that can fulfill the requirements for serialization, application of tamper-evident labels, and control weighing in a single, workflow-optimized step. It requires very little space, since the system comes with an integrated checkweigher and tamper-evident labeler if needed. The integrated interface to the MEDTRACKER software enables the process-reliable serialization of filled folding cartons.
New quick-change device
In addition tocompact design, there was a special focus on flexibility during development so that the user could switch quickly to different formats or coding requirements. For example, the new quick-change device allows for the position of the camera and printer unit to be changed without tools or other components in a few steps that take only minutes.
The precise transport mechanism also ensures efficiency and safety: even at extremely high throughputs of up to 400 packages/min—high-quality, reproducible coding results can be achieved. If required, the monitoring camera and sensors ensure reliable ejection into a reject bin that can be emptied during operation.
Another labeling unit, such as one for vignette or Bollini labels, can be integrated, as well as other printing heads and cameras, for affixing helper codes. Further options include a checkweigher and a tamper-evident labeler.
![“Another key [UDI] benefit, because we're calling that product by the same name across the healthcare supply chain… rich and robust data that we can access around supply consumption and utilization rates. One of the buzz terms we've heard during the COVID-19 crisis was what's my burn rate? How fast am I going through gowns, masks, gloves?” – Mike Schiller, Senior Director at AHRMM](https://img.healthcarepackaging.com/files/base/pmmi/all/image/2020/08/UDI.5f4d326e41d53.png?auto=format&fit=crop&h=146&w=340)
