Breaking News on Global Pharmaceutical Technology & Manufacturing

NAF & VSM look to clean up in pre-washed vial market

26-Jan-2009 - We spoke with Martijn Eijkenboom, president of NAF & VSM, to discuss his companies’ entry into the market for pre-washed vials, ampoules and test tubes.

FDA wants standardised drug pack numbering

20-Jan-2009 - The FDA is calling for all drugs to be labelled using a standardised numerical identifier (SNI) similar to the one suggested in the delayed California e-Pedigree guidelines in a bid to tighten up supply chain security.

What to look out for at Pharmapack '09

19-Jan-2009 - in-PharmaTechnologist is joined by Aurore Domange, Pharmapack Manager, who details the highlights of this year’s show, which starts in Paris, France, this week.

Asian pack machine demand a boon US and EU industry

15-Jan-2009 -  The market for packaging machinery is set to grow 5 per cent a year and be worth $40bn (€30.3bn) by 2012, driven partly by a hike in demand for drug products in “pharmerging” economies, according to a new industry report.

Süd-Chemie claims it has a cheaper, greener desiccant

15-Jan-2009 -  Süd-Chemie Performance Packaging has expanded its range of bentonite desiccants, which it claims are cheaper and less environmentally damaging than silica gel alternatives.

Schering-Plough selects ixPressa software for blister printing

13-Jan-2009 -  Schering-Plough has signed up to use software developed by UK-based specialist ixPressia to improve the quality of its blister printing operations.

EC publishes packaging guidelines; details for the blind

13-Jan-2009 -  The European Commission (EC) has published its revised guidance on the readability of medicinal labels and accompanying leaflets, which will come into force in June.

McKesson and Burgopak focused on improving patient compliance

12-Jan-2009 - December's packaging deal between McKesson and Burgopak is further evidence of drug industry's determination to improve patient compliance. in-PharmaTechnologist asked Burgopak's global head of automation Mark Symonds for further details of the groundbreaking accord. 

Schott shrugs off downturn with sales, earnings hike

23-Dec-2008 -  Germany’s Schott Glass posted a 4 per cent increase in revenues during fiscal 2008, bringing in €2.23bn across its divisions.

Burgopak partners to sell award winning packs in US

17-Dec-2008 -  McKesson RxPak has entered into a partnership with Burgopak, to provide the latter’s compliance packaging to companies in the US.

Schott boosts German pharma glass capacity

15-Dec-2008 -  Schott plans to add two giant glass melting tanks at its facility in Mainz, Germany, continuing the expansion of pharmaceutical tubing production capacity and creating 135 new jobs in the process. 

Alcan to close Syracuse plant

15-Dec-2008 -  Alcan Packaging’s decision to close its packaging production facility in Nebraska, US, at a cost of 71 jobs, follows just weeks after parent company, Australian mining giant Rio Tinto, announced some 14,000 lay offs.

News in brief

Hospira initiates voluntary recall

11-Dec-2008 -  Hospira has initiated a voluntary recall of one lot of its sodium chloride injection, USP as an incorrect barcode label meant medication errors could occur.

Pharmaceutical package: no repackaging ban, but shift towards DTC

11-Dec-2008 -  The European Union’s long-awaited reform of pharmaceutical regulations known as the ‘pharmaceutical package’ was unveiled yesterday after months of consultation and debate. 

Delays to track and trace laws affect Domino

10-Dec-2008 -  Efforts to sure-up pharma track and trace rules and combat counterfeiting are a significant opportunity for specialist labelling firms, but the pace of change is proving to be a frustration, according to Domino Printing Sciences MD, Nigel Bond.

The advent of Touch & Talk’s packaging compliance calendar

10-Dec-2008 -  US firm Touch & Talk Software (TTS) hopes that compliance benefits offered by its new automated ProPacker 30CP calendar blister packaging system will be attractive to clinical trials companies and contract packagers alike.

Domino’s unveils 5” printhead at Embellage

02-Dec-2008 -  Domino Printing Sciences chose this year’s Emballage world packaging exhibition in Paris, France to showcase the new 5” printhead it has developed for its V300+ thermal transfer printer. 

News in brief

Sewtec’s new labelling platform works with single and multipacks

01-Dec-2008 -  Sewtec claims that its new LX5194 Labelling System is the first to be compatible with both single and multipack cartons, enhancing the flexibility and speed with which manufacturers can switch between production runs  

News in brief

UPM opens China RFID plant

01-Dec-2008 - UPM Raflatac hopes its new RFID facility in Guangzhou, China will strengthen its market position as the country’s drugmakers seek to improve their international reputation and increase exports.

Sealing up the packaging market

26-Nov-2008 -  Sepha has launched PakScan, its new leak testing machine that the company claims can quickly and non-destructively test for holes in sachets and sealed pouches.

Philips’ iPill showcased at AAPS

19-Nov-2008 -  Philips’ new intelligent pill (iPill) technology, which combines a sophisticate sensor array with a precise delivery mechanism, was one of the most talked about innovation presented at this year’s AAPS meeting in Atlanta.

News in brief

Compass set on customer service

13-Nov-2008 -  US contract packaging firm Compass Pharma Services has reshaped its service and process organisation divisions to provide customers with a single point of contact. 

Honeywell inks China packaging deal

10-Nov-2008 -  Honeywell has entered into a three-year agreement to supply its Aclar brand moisture-barrier films to Shanghai Haishun Packaging Material.

Stora partners for smart packaging

06-Nov-2008 -  A deal to jointly market electronic patient monitoring service packaging has been signed by Stora Enso and Medixine.

Covidien recalls mislabelled insulin syringes

06-Nov-2008 - Covidien is recalling half a million ReliOn single-use insulin syringes after it was uncovered that some had been mislabelled, creating the potential for fatal overdose.