First BS8404 compliant child-resistant blisterpack launched in UK
The first child resistant blisterpack in the UK to meet the requirements of the proposed new standard BS8404 has been launched by Pill protect, of Tonbridge. As well as reducing the risk of accidental child poisoning, the new pack is also senior-friendly and offers manufacturers additional branding opportunities not available with conventional blisters. The new system is said to offer a cost-effective alternative to adopting foil laminates, which slow the blisterpacking line down and increase material costs by 15-20%. It can also be applied to existing blisterpacks with no need to change size, shape or format, and is compatible will all types of pills and capsules.
Pill protect consists of a secondary 'peel'n'push' layer applied in-line to the foil backing of a conventional blisterpack by a standard labelling head retrofitted to the blisterpacker. This patented 'label' is preprinted, die cut and perforated to be in register with the blister pockets. The cost of the extra layer is estimated at 2-2.5 pence per pack.
A central detachable strip must first be removed from the backing. This gives access to the tabs that allow the perforated sections over each pocket to be peeled off and the tablet pushed through the foil. With these sections in place, it is difficult to push the tablets out.
'We are extremely pleased at how well Pill protect has done in the BS 8404 tests, meeting the most stringent criteria for child resistance and senior friendliness and passing with flying colours. We can now offer customers a compelling solution that will help them meet new legal requirements quickly and efficiently,' comments Jonathan Bobbett, md of Pill protect.
Pill protect also offers a range of new 'on-pack' marketing opportunities not available with conventional foil-sealed products. Pill protect's commercial delivery arm provides branding, graphic design, artwork and printing services, online order placement and tracking, technical and production support and engineering and design consultancy
The system has been demonstrated using a Commander labelling head retrofitted to a Noack 623 series blisterpacker supplied by Romaco Group, and had no effect on throughput speeds. The backing label was lithoprinted onto paper, but other material types such as clear synthetics or metallised substrates can also be used. In the future it may be possible to incorporate electronic circuitry for compliance monitoring, covert security and anticounterfeiting measures, and increased levels of protection for higher toxicity drugs.
Pill protect has been in use for clinical trials applications for two years, and tests in the US have shown it to be 96% child effective and 99% senior effective. If demand is sufficient in Europe, Romaco will consider designing the system into its blisterpackers from scratch, rather than retrofitting.