Pharmaceutical and Cosmetics Coding and Marking
- Blister Packs
- Cartons
- Vials and Ampoules
- Datamatrix coding
- Offline overprinting
Background
Highly controlled production environments, with a clean, dry and usually air-conditioned production floor (Pharma follow current Good Manufacturing Practice, cGMP). A strong validation regime of doing things correctly and preventing any rejects from getting through. High value-added product in most cases.
Key drivers
- Code integrity is paramount. Systems must deliver the highest standard of marking, constantly. Code must remain intact for the lifetime of the product, often several years, making consumables a key factor in the system.
- Reliability of consumable supply very important. Validation process means that products must be consistent, and implementing change is a lengthy process.
- Applications knowledge and the ability to respond to new demands of the business, such as 2D bar coding, is important.
Typical applications
- Lot code and expiry date on clear (acetate) label on a pharmaceutical vial of injectable drug: Hot Foil
- Lot code and expiry date on a blister containing tablets: Embossing; Thermal Inkjet
- Lot code and expiry date on a carton containing a blister, a bottle, or a tube of cream / ointment: Embossing; Thermal Inkjet; Offline Overprinting
- 2D Datamatrix barcoding of carton:Thermal Inkjet; Offline Overprinting
- Lot code and expiry date in the crimp of a plastic or metal tube: Embossing; Thermal Inkjet
- Batch code on the clear label on the base of a lipstick or mascara: Hot Foil; Thermal Transfer
