Drug safety is a major concern for major pharmaceutical companies, and tampering and counterfeiting in the marketplace is dangerous for both consumers and brands. This article from Cimpex Packaging focuses on the latest innovations in packaging design and how tamper evidence and technological developments can protect all stakeholders.
Product Safety
Pharmaceutical products require responsible packaging, especially life-saving drugs, medical devices and dietary supplements. Potential threats to these products include misuse and counterfeiting. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that about 10 percent of medicines worldwide are counterfeit. While counterfeiting is due to human error, tampering can result from inefficient handling or storage. However, with the help of technology and digitization, counterfeiting and tampering can be largely prevented.
Pharmaceutical packaging – security through technology
Technology can help detect unauthorized access by making tampering visible while creating a barrier to it. Tamper-resistant solutions ensure product security during storage and transportation. Tamper-resistant packaging is based on two principles: the need for multiple layers of protection and the ability to detect tampering in the event of unauthorized access or compromised package integrity. Tamper resistance is a challenge because the packaging must be protected from external tampering. A tamper-evident strategy widely used in the pharmaceutical industry includes the following five layers of protection:
- Primary closure: This involves securing the lid of the container in such a way that adjustments made after shipping are detectable
- Sealing: The process by which the primary closure is permanently secured against shipping pressure
- Isolating: Shrink wrapping is used to protect the sealed container from moisture and other shipments
- Identification: unique identification numbers prevent duplication. It also makes the product identifiable in the supply chain.
- Secondary packaging: The outer shipping containers designed according to the shipper’s guidelines.
