Packaging is an integral component of a pharmaceutical industry process, sometimes considered unnecessary. Regulatory bodies inspect the packaging as a necessary component and sometimes reject and cancel the license renewal or approval. It also requires the manufacturers to establish dedicated facilities, equipment, and test procedures for the packaging department.
Packaging is witnessing immense development, resulting in innovative solutions. These innovative solutions help manufacturers comply with regulatory requirements, helps in reducing cost, and ensure product safety. Pharmaceutical packaging keeps manufactured products safe and prevents specification changes from different external conditions.
Importance of Packaging in the current pharma manufacturing
Pharmaceutical finished products are packaged in compliant and safe packaging material to make sure the product reaches its intended end-user, i.e., patient, without affecting external conditions such as Environmental and transportation. The pharmaceutical packaging equipment protects the product from damage and containment. It is also used to protect the product's basic identification information, such as the manufacturing date and Expiration date.
Regulatory bodies such as the FDA and the WHO have their standards for the packaging industry. Any manufacturer accredited to these bodies must adhere to these regulatory body packaging requirements.
Some important areas where packaging plays an important role include the following.
Preventing Counterfeiting and Tampering
The worldwide pharmaceutical industry is facing challenges of counterfeit and tampered drugs. These drugs not only compromise the manufacturer’s credibility and reputation, but the danger it poses to the patient is inevitable. The pharmaceutical packaging industry is devising and innovating new ways to prevent the problem of counterfeit and tempering. Some advancement in packaging towards anti-tampering and anti-counterfeit includes
· Tamper – Proof seals. Tamper-proof seals ensure drug reliability by using a seal to indicate box opening. The seals are destroyed when removed from the drug and cannot be applied manually. It requires specialized equipment to apply the seal. This makes it easier for the user to know and identify if someone has opened the pack or box. Some drug manufacturers also use Holograms to prevent tampering with their medicines.
· QR Code. QR code allows the codification of the critical product information such as Manufacturing and Expiry date. The information can only be decoded with the scanner to read the product information. This codification allows the user to verify the product’s authenticity. It is not easy to generate QR codes. Instead, it requires specialized equipment to generate and print the QR code.
· Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) - RFID marks or tags are not visible to the naked eye. Instead, they require specialized equipment to read the RFID markings. RFID can effectively prevent counterfeiting as RFID tags cannot be copied easily without specialized equipment.
Packaging Machine in the Pharmaceutical Industry
There are different types of packaging machines used in the pharmaceutical industry. Implementation of each type depends upon the pharmaceutical product being packaged. The type selection also depends on the regulatory body requirements.
Let’s look at some common packaging machines in Pharmaceutical Industry
Blister Packing Machines
Blister Packing Machines pack the pharmaceutical product in between two packaging materials. After the product is placed between the two packaging materials, they are sealed together. The sealing helps to protect the product from different hazardous factors such as extreme environmental Conditions and Containment. The sealing action occurs at a high temperature, safe for both product and material. The blister’s sealing must be leak-proof and should not allow the passage of any particle through it.
Blister packing machine forms a blister or cavity in packaging material at machine’s Forming Station, followed by product insertion in the blister. After the produc...
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