Pharma packaging as is true of quite a few other sensitive products particularly when it is concerned with human health and safety is no subject of debate as the requirements are clearly defined. Most commonly the requirements deal with product package compatibility and shelf life. Often other requirements of the patient, administrator are left to the background. With the progress of time, new materials and process and technology availability the industry has moved forward and yet “packaging design’’ considerations probably need more attention and time. Movements in the direction of “child resistance closure” and “elder friendly packaging”, “day scheduled packs” are a few in this direction.
Days are left behind when one needed a secondary resource to open the pack and probably dispense the product. People err and therefore designs could cause errors especially when the design is inappropriate and fails to take into account human abilities. In such circumstances one tries to resource the immediate possible means to reach out to the product. One then realises just how annoying the packaging can be. All available definitions of packaging highlights the relationship between the package and product. Very little is seen to speak the relationship between the package and consumer. What is needed is the triangular biz between the product-package and consumer. In this the package becomes the via in the whole system. Illustrations need to be of purpose and graphics logical. With the progress of time both structural and graphic aspects would need a revamping. The task would be more in keeping with the current market status and address to new designs and features.
In respect of many products, of late, branding has assumed a different status. Branding does help a product to stand out from other products and makes it easier the “pic factor” in a competitive and probably mostly discriminating market. In respects of pharma area the theory may not be fully applicable and yet a departure in package from the traditional thinking could be effective.
A few examples could help:
A kinked tube central dose control mechanism was recognised as clever and acceptable. The development included a user friendly external envelope - a marriage of user friendliness and technology - providing an enhanced patient care. The development also has helped to remove the myth that breath actuation is expensive – an excellent balancing at user effective optimum cost.
Conventional folding board cartons was revealed through consumer feed back as not very ideal and consumer friendly. The reasoning was constraint to have a carry pack as the same often get damaged or uncouth for the hand bag. The shift was to a design an injection moulded three piece pack. The lid clip when applied gives a audible click sound ensuring effective closure and safety. The single pack does away with the outer folding board box besides being easy to carry and product dispensing.
A reference has been made earlier with regard to elder friendly packaging. One may need to couple the need to meet consumers who are disabled. The third dimension would be to ensure inaccessibility to children. The technology development used the patients finger print that is used as a key to open the pack. Once the fingerprint is confirmed the pharmacist will alert the patient and realise the correct dosage of the medicine.
A substitute for plastics surgery
In the context of youth and beauty superseding age and maturity demand for in home facilities seems to have received more importance. The development highlights application of a facemask inhouse. The nanometric film in the shape of a face mask is placed directly on the face with regulated absorption of active ingredient. The temperature self regulating packaging film prevents microbial infiltration.
Consumer oriented different types of market needs for vitamins. The administration of specific types of vitamin type is through a bracelet, a cup of cartridge. The first one monitors and advises the wearer on the vitamin level though a colour change in the band. The second variation automatically monitors & administrates vitamin transdermally. The cup system fills the cup with water as per personalised recipe and releases the vitamin to consume as a drink. The cartridge devices combines up to five vitamins and is a low cost device which measurers the exact body requirement and at precise level.
Over the years a large number of newer packaging materials, machinery and systems are developed and available for the pharma industry. Alu-Alu foil, multilayer films, steriliseble media, easy peel laminates, thin film with thermo formable properties particularly for steriliseble disposable syringes and other medical device packaging are a few to mention. Development of high barrier multilayer film structures have made inroads in the packaging of bulk drugs replacing metal and fibre drums and laminated multiwall paper bags. High barrier coating on basic films like PVC have benefitted the blister packaging sector. Replacement of PVC is on the anvil with alternate films are being developed. R&D efforts could help in bringing about interesting changes. Metallised paper with heat sealable substrate or cold seal adhesive based foil based are possibilities as strip packaging media. Heat steriliseble PET vials are potential substitute for glass vials.
The pharma industry continues to be plaqued by the spurious and counterfeits. A number of new technologies are now available to the industry to curb the menace if not completely mitigate. Some commercially available techniques are: Holograms, Smart/Intelligent-Packaging labels, Tamper evident stickers, Shrink sleeves, Holographic Strip-online to PVC blister, Holographic tamper evident seal, Induction cap seal with Hologram, Biological/DNA coding, RFID smart labels and Bar Coding and the like.
The technology availability cannot be a solution. Their effective application and adoption is significant . the system cannot end at the exit point of dispatch if to be successful the complete supply chain including the ultimate buyer /user should be educated well. A strong monitoring system is essential. Track and trace system assumes greater significance.
The environmental issue is indeed a challenge to the industry. The pharma post usage and post consumer waste is typically different from other sectors. Herein the human health and hygiene is more seriously concerned . In –hospitical collection, segregation and disposal on one hand and post consumer package waste on the other hand are two significantly different aspects. Either of them need to be addressed in their own merits. Adoption and use of easily disposable materials could facilitate as an initial step.
(Author is Chief Executive – IFCA, and Secretary General – IPMMI)