System Planning Corporation has introduced PharmaTrak, an industry-specific derivative of its patented GlobalTrak asset monitoring and tracking system.
PharmaTrak has been specifically engineered to meet the tracking and monitoring needs of the pharmaceutical industry.
The product tracks and monitors throughout the supply chain from manufacturer to distributor to retailer.
PharmaTrak's sensor suite begins with basic security monitors such as door position, light and acoustic detectors and also provides temperature sensors to report average temperature readings at customer-determined intervals and send immediate alerts should unacceptable temperature ranges be recorded.
Humidity, shock and vibration sensors can also be calibrated to alert and report as needed.
"There is two-way communication between the asset monitoring unit positioned on the shipment and a network operations center called the Information Management Bureau (IMB) via cellular or satellite networks," GlobalTrak vice president for business development Joseph McKinney said.
"The IMB offers stakeholders secure, online access to shipment data. Sensor data records can be reviewed and alerting instructions updated through user configurable business rules."
PharmaTrak offers data management from the pallet or carton to the item level via Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), barcode, or other electronic input.
Precision Stability Storage (PSS) has opened a storage facility in Wilson, North Carolina, to provide environmentally-controlled storage for biotech and pharmaceutical industries.
The facility, compliant with current Good Manufacturing Practices, is designed to meet the needs of companies that require off-site storage, redundant storage, short-term growth needs, back-up storage, or long-term stability storage conditioning.
Each of the 900 cubic-foot rooms is continuously monitored and remote paging is provided for alarm conditions. An automatic emergency generator provides redundant facility power to ensure the integrity of stored material.
"Wilson is strategically located to pharmaceutical companies in need of our services. We see more of these companies outsourcing this storage service because it makes sense economically," PSS director of business development Ken Edwards said.
The International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) has launched On-line Knowledge Programs.
Described as the "next generation of information delivery", the programs are designed to provide pharmaceutical professionals with industry knowledge and career enhancement possibilities.
The programs also provide additional knowledge for those seeking to prepare for the Certified Pharmaceutical Industry Professional (CPIP) credential examination.
Programs are 30, 45, or 60 minutes long and are pre-recorded lecture formats with activities, hot links, and printable presentations and supporting documents.
Programs include: product development, facilities and equipment, supply chain management, production systems, regulatory compliance and quality systems.
Ossid has introduced a new automatic 8000S horizontal thermoform fill and seal machine, which produces high quality vacuum, modified atmosphere, reclosable, flexible, foil-foil, semi-rigid and rigid packaging.
The technology delivers cycle speeds up to 25 per minute and reduces energy consumption.
"The 8000S is an extremely efficient, hygienic packaging solution that's easy to use and maintain," Ossid general manager and vice president Mike White said.
NJM/CLI has also introduced a packaging product - the beltorque Automatic In-Line Capper.
Unlike traditional cappers that use discs or spindles to tighten caps, the beltorque Capper uses belts to tighten caps.
This technique eliminates cap damage and achieves more consistent torque values.
Like the beltorque Retorquer introduced in 2006, the new beltorque Capper synchronizes the linear displacement speed of the container and the rotating speed of the closure, even when the cap stops turning.
The beltorque Capper handles round, oval, square and rectangular containers from two to 12 inches in height and from 0.5 to seven inches in diameter with caps up to three inches in diameter at speeds up to 200cpm.
