Meeting unanenges i. Solid-Dose Packaging

[...]PCI Pharma Services offers a range of packaging options so drawbacks and benefits can be assessed for each material. Paperboard and paper stock for labelling have been in particularly short supply. [...]he says, "when we look at the private-label market, we are seeing that companies are holding their supply-chain inventory extremely tight, and packaging operators are seeing more line changeovers to accommodate smaller and shorter packaging runs." Recently granted patents in both the US and Europe, the Holo-Blister technology enables conventional heat-seal blister packaging equipment to cost-effectively apply custom holograms to the back of blister packs. [...]

Innovations Meet Growing Demand for Prefilled Syringes

Syringe innovations also increase patient and caregiver safety and efficiency and reduce waste of product and packaging materials. "Since it is already packaged ready for the injection, the prefilled syringe saves time and avoids unneeded handling prior to the actual application, minimizing the risk of the injection errors, dilution errors, or non-sterility issues [that are a risk in] multi-dose containers," explains Wenzel Novak, global senior director of business development at Gerresheimer Medical Systems. [...]the advent of a silicone-free design, "Pharmaceutical manufacturers seeking to avoid silicone-induced aggregation and sub-visible particles have had to choose vials even when they wanted to offer other delivery options," said Christiane Gumera, product specialist at W.L. Gore & Associates. [...]automation decreases labour requirements, diminishes the difficulties of working in a cleanroom with full personal protective equipment, and reduces the likelihood of repetitive motion injuries." [...]information technology systems supporting serialization can communicate with the customer's system to ensure that the serial numbers applied are unique and traceable across the network of product manufacturing sites the customer may be using."

Countering Counterfeiters and Diverters

[...]the anticounterfeiting packaging market is projected to grow at a 7.8% compound annual growth rate to USS189.9 billion (€158 billion) in 2026 (1). [...]in anticipation of a spike in counterfeiting, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has launched Operation Stolen Promise 2, to halt the production, distribution, and sale of illicit COVID-19 treatments and vaccines. The fact that the COVID-19 vaccines need to be shipped in stringent cold storage containers with radio frequency identification (RFID) temperature sensors along with specialized transportation methods will make it more difficult for counterfeiters to enter the supply chain, but not impossible." [...]Pitts predicts an increased focus on consumer engagement.

Is the Packaging Supply Chain Ready?

[...]SCHOTT, which operates a global validated production network with 20 plants and more than 600 production lines for pharma glass and packaging, already has delivered millions of glass vials to SARS-CoV-2 programmes including supplying three out of every four COVID-19 vaccine projects undergoing Phase I, II, and III testing (3). Since we produce the pharmaceutical glass tubing for the packaging ourselves, we are also able to adjust the capacities for glass production in advance, which also benefits packaging manufacturers who do not have their own glass production facilities." "Since our sites are already validated by the authorities and by major pharma companies, our expansion is happening at a very fast pace," reports Stöcker. Per the agreement ... with BARDA [Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, part of the US Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response], Corning will provide priority access to designated BARDA vaccine and drug development partners."