Packaging Innovations Recognized during Pharmapack Awards

Convenience, safety, and dosing precision were applauded at Pharmapack 2010 during the event's annual awards ceremony. Packages developed for drugs, veterinary products, and medical devices placed on the French market between the 27th November 2008 and the 15th November 2009 were eligible for such distinction.

The Pharmapack 'Compliance' Award went to NovoPen 4 developed by Novo Nordisk. The reusable insulin delivery device offers precise dose setting and a better dose legibility, thanks to a larger easy-to-read scale as compared with the older generation pen NovoPen 3 with a magnifying glass effect. Dose selection is eased through use of a dose button that can be turned in either direction without wasting insulin. Moreover, the delivery of insulin is better controled since less force is needed for the injection. Patient convenience is also improved by an audible end-of-dose click for improved patient convenience. Lastly, the piston rod on NovoPen 4 can be easily returned just by pressing the piston head with the finger tip.

The Pharmapack 'Safety' Award Hospital Product went to the Ephedrine prefilled syringe developed by Laboratoire Aguettant. This new delivery system is a plastic prefilled ready-to-use syringe for use in surgical units. The syringe use is secured by a luer-lock (needle free) connection and its lightweight, unbreakable body. The colour label provides tamper evidence, improves the product identification, and reduces the risks of confusion. Terminally sterilized in a blister, the syringe guarantees complete sterility. The opening system with frangible obturator provides integrity of the syringe until delivery of the drug. The new-generation ready-to-use syringe hastens product use by reducing preparation time.

The Pharmapack 'Medical Device' Award went to Conveen Optima by Laboratoires Coloplast. This device for male urinary incontinence offers an antileak system and an easy fit. Individually packed, its design offers discretion. The retail box of 30 products requires minimal space. Conveen Optima can be recycled and require less energy for shipping thanks to its compact size. R&D of Coloplast used its expertise to develop a product discrete in terms of packaging and no odor, easy to use, and efficient. Research consisting of focus groups led to materials with compact packaging and in tune with masculine trends (colors, shape, and design).

The Pharmapack “Prevention of Domestic Risks” Award in veterinary category went to Milteforan by Virbac. Milteforan is the first veterinary drug intended to treat leishmaniasis and can be administered orally. The cytostatic substance, the precise dosage, and the daily handling by the owner of the sick animal, led Virbac to develop a product whose dosage and packaging (bottle, closure, distribution system) guarantee treatment accuracy and the safe use by the owner. This system offers ease of use and all the safety expected thanks to a syringe with a luer lock type EC and a bottle stoppered and crimped that cannot be unscrewed by the user. The packaging features also a return valve that prevents potential leaks when sampling the product. In terms of formulation, Virbac chose to develop a viscous true solution with a very simple dosage: 1ml for 10 Kg. Pharmacological and toxicological characteristics of the active molecule used in Milteforan implies that the doses have to be as accurate and as closely adapted to the weight of these animals as possible. The treatment consists in administering a dose every day for 28 days. All packaging components have been developed with West Pharmaceutical, Pet Power, and Stelmi.

The Jury has given the “New Packaging” Special Distinction to Phytocencentrés VitaflorBIO made by the Laboratoire Milical. The range of organic herbal teas and plant concentrates feature innovative packaging that is both safer and more practical for the user. Indeed, the PhytoconcentrésVitaflorBIO are packaged in an ampule with a patented seal, the flackpull. In addition to easing package opening, a special seal eliminates the risk of injury as it is no longer necessary to break the tip of the ampule. Each pack of phytoconcentrate contains 18 10-ml flackpulls for 18 days' treatment.

To participate in Pharmapack Awards 2011, submit your innovative products launched on the market between November 2009 and December 2010 by contacting Canon Communications at pharmapack@cancom.com or +33 (0) 1 77 48 10 00.

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