The real question is, are the attendees missing too? Everyone mentions that this show has been international in the past, and clearly it did not seem as full, but the lack of exhibitor personnel could make it look that way. We'll discuss more about attendees tomorrow.
Here are just some of the new introductions I saw today on the show floor, expect more detailed coverage of these innovations in future issues of Healthcare Packaging.
Catalent had a big crowd at their booth where they introduced Media Enhanced Packaging. A cell phone (with a free application downloaded) can now be pointed at a package where it reads an “invisible to the eye” code that can launch a variety of internet applications. The consumer can check if the drug is authentic, perhaps access multi-lingual versions of the same package, read more on the proper use of the product, even participate in marketing surveys, etc. There really is no limit to the variety of uses for brand-building. I see this as more of a promotional tool for non-pharma (the sports tie-ins alone are unfathomable—drink your beer and watch the winning touchdown as you order your jersey!), but I could be convinced it's right for pharma. Where will the FDA fall on package and product info having to be accessed on the internet?
After years of buying someone else's peristaltic pumps, Bosch Packaging now offers their own design. Filling is handled through tube deformation with no liquid product actually running through the pump itself. Servo-controlled, and designed very small to be worked with one hand in an isolator glove, Bosch touts 20% better accuracy than other similar pumps.
Excellent for single use tubing where no cleaning of pump is necessary. Tube and nozzle discarded and new sterile tube and nozzles are attached ready for next drug fill. Can be retrofit to existing filling machines where old pumps are essentially by-passed and new peristaltic pump trolley is rolled up to filler and hooked up.
Perlen Packaging introduced today their 2009 Innovation Prize winning Perlazid, a patented anti-microbial film coating that can be applied to a variety of substrates, including: PVC, PET, PP, and non-wovens. The transparent coating is thermoformable, can be given sealing properties and inhibits the function of bacterial enzymes.
Thermo Scientific just announced the Apex 500 Rx Pharmaceutical Metal Detector and Versa Rx Pharmaceutical Check Weigher. Both these products were designed specifically for high-speed hygienic pharma lines. Metal detect small slivers of metal (.25mm) for tablet presses, capsule filling and deduster applications. Easy-to-clean with IQ/OQ/PQ validation packages available.
Check weigh 2 to 500 g at speeds up to 600 per minute. For use with sachets, blister packs, cartons, plastic and glass bottles, even aerosols. Desgned to GMP standards with 21 CFR Poart 11 Compliance Option.
Klockner Pentaplast introduced next-generation films for pharmaceutical blister packaging. Pentapharm ® kpVantage, an alternative to PVC, can be used as mono film for pharmaceuticals requiring low moisture barrier, or they can be integrated into a barrier structure for products requiring more protection from moisture or gasses.
These films, for solid oral-dose, ethical drugs, OTC, generics, physician samples, veterinary drugs and nutraceuticals, were designed specifically to be run on existing equipment with no change to tooling, lidding or package design.
These films form at lower temperatures, increasing line speed and consuming less energy.
Last but not least I was happy to participate as a judge for the Healthcare Compliance Packaging Council's Compliance Package awards. Interesting, innovative packages—stay tuned for winners.
Happy to participate with Daphne Allen, editor of PMP News, along with Michael Forehand from AstraZeneca and John Bitner of Watson Labs.
By Jim Chrzan, Publisher, Healthcare Packaging
Here are just some of the new introductions I saw today on the show floor, expect more detailed coverage of these innovations in future issues of Healthcare Packaging.
Catalent had a big crowd at their booth where they introduced Media Enhanced Packaging. A cell phone (with a free application downloaded) can now be pointed at a package where it reads an “invisible to the eye” code that can launch a variety of internet applications. The consumer can check if the drug is authentic, perhaps access multi-lingual versions of the same package, read more on the proper use of the product, even participate in marketing surveys, etc. There really is no limit to the variety of uses for brand-building. I see this as more of a promotional tool for non-pharma (the sports tie-ins alone are unfathomable—drink your beer and watch the winning touchdown as you order your jersey!), but I could be convinced it's right for pharma. Where will the FDA fall on package and product info having to be accessed on the internet?
After years of buying someone else's peristaltic pumps, Bosch Packaging now offers their own design. Filling is handled through tube deformation with no liquid product actually running through the pump itself. Servo-controlled, and designed very small to be worked with one hand in an isolator glove, Bosch touts 20% better accuracy than other similar pumps.
Excellent for single use tubing where no cleaning of pump is necessary. Tube and nozzle discarded and new sterile tube and nozzles are attached ready for next drug fill. Can be retrofit to existing filling machines where old pumps are essentially by-passed and new peristaltic pump trolley is rolled up to filler and hooked up.
Perlen Packaging introduced today their 2009 Innovation Prize winning Perlazid, a patented anti-microbial film coating that can be applied to a variety of substrates, including: PVC, PET, PP, and non-wovens. The transparent coating is thermoformable, can be given sealing properties and inhibits the function of bacterial enzymes.
Thermo Scientific just announced the Apex 500 Rx Pharmaceutical Metal Detector and Versa Rx Pharmaceutical Check Weigher. Both these products were designed specifically for high-speed hygienic pharma lines. Metal detect small slivers of metal (.25mm) for tablet presses, capsule filling and deduster applications. Easy-to-clean with IQ/OQ/PQ validation packages available.
Check weigh 2 to 500 g at speeds up to 600 per minute. For use with sachets, blister packs, cartons, plastic and glass bottles, even aerosols. Desgned to GMP standards with 21 CFR Poart 11 Compliance Option.
Klockner Pentaplast introduced next-generation films for pharmaceutical blister packaging. Pentapharm ® kpVantage, an alternative to PVC, can be used as mono film for pharmaceuticals requiring low moisture barrier, or they can be integrated into a barrier structure for products requiring more protection from moisture or gasses.
These films, for solid oral-dose, ethical drugs, OTC, generics, physician samples, veterinary drugs and nutraceuticals, were designed specifically to be run on existing equipment with no change to tooling, lidding or package design.
These films form at lower temperatures, increasing line speed and consuming less energy.
Last but not least I was happy to participate as a judge for the Healthcare Compliance Packaging Council's Compliance Package awards. Interesting, innovative packages—stay tuned for winners.
Happy to participate with Daphne Allen, editor of PMP News, along with Michael Forehand from AstraZeneca and John Bitner of Watson Labs.
By Jim Chrzan, Publisher, Healthcare Packaging
