Smart Packaging📦 Flashcards
(7 cards)
Definition of Smart Packaging (SP)
Smart Packaging = Traditional Packaging + Added Functionality
Enhanced with electronic or printed technology
Performs additional roles: environmental monitoring, communication, data sharing
Inspired by “smart” technology (Internet of Things – IoT)
Collects data on temperature, shock, humidity (for stability)
Definition and Purpose of Packaging
Traditional Packaging Functions:
Stability: Protects from light, moisture, oxygen (e.g. amber glass for photolabile drugs)
Safety & Compliance: Includes child-resistant features
Information: Labeling includes drug name, strength, dosage form, license number
User Experience: Should be user-friendly to enhance adherence
Types:
Primary Packaging: Direct contact with drug (e.g. blister pack)
Secondary/Tertiary Packaging: Outer protection/logistics
SP Classification
1) Active Packaging
Interacts with the product (e.g., moisture/oxygen/light-responsive)
Helps product quality & shelf life
Example: Photovoltaic containers that darken on light exposure
2) Intelligent Packaging
Collects/communicates data: Temperature, humidity, shock
Communicates with patients or healthcare providers (apps)
Indicators & sensors inside /outside packaging to provide details on state of product
3) Connected Packaging
Uses tech like QR codes, RFID tags
Enables digital interaction, boosts user engagement
Enhances consumer experience y nailing interactions with product
Types & uses of SP
1) Connected Pharmaceutical Packaging
Monitors storage conditions (temp/humidity)
Simplifies administration with reminders, alarms supports patient in planning & dosing therapy correctly
Collects & shares compliance data (e.g., via NFC tags)
Fully digital ecosystem
Connects to device eg smart phone
Monitors shelf-life:improves efficacy & shelf life by controlling & communicating environmental parameters
Processing info: data on user behaviour (compliment?), can be directly shared to GP, creating direct link with patient
Technology used: Near Field Communication (NFC). NFC tags safe and secure to track medication & progress
Patients can easily add new prescriptions, vitamins, or confirm they have taken dose by tapping on tag
Info saved on app
2) Compliance Encouraging Packaging
Helps patients follow dosage schedule (enhances patient compliance)
May include electronic chips or printed trackers
Help patient keep track of medication schedule, dosing levels, safety guidelines to treat themselves with confidence
Electronic / printed technology
✅ Examples:
Cypak’s advanced medication monitoring and report card system: Records pill removal from blister pack time & date, enables patient to communicate with healthcare professionals through printed technology / internet , allows patient to lpg feedback on SEs & treatment efficacy, yellow card reporting ( SEs reported that are not in PIL (yellow card scheme for healthcare system))
Stora Enso- Pharma DDSi (discreet dose silder’s intelligent) wireless: Conductive ink + cellular module; sends messages/alerts to carers or HCPs. Removal of pills tracked and sent to electronic database auntomattcally via GSM or GPRS cellular networks. Doctor can track medication intake system can SP can issue phone calls and text messages rom any number inputted eg to relatives, patient, HCPs. Good for Alzheimer’s & neurological conditions as pt might require caregivers & family to have more active role in their treatment.
Pfizer- Four panel Toviaz Wallet: Printed guide, daily tracker, child-resistant IntuDose(blister pack), guidebook with systems explanations, recommendations for managing OAB, how to take med, ways to enrol in interactive programmes. education tools. For initialising overactive badder therapy.Patient education, facilitates patient-doctor interactions for monitoring symptoms, tips & tools for detailed treatment plan. Daily tracker for patient for goals and improvement. 12 week plan ( shown to patient) .
Bargopac sliding CR blister pack: Dual-press child-resistant design for toxic meds in the blister pack. Can only be opened by applying pressure to two separate points on packaging.
3) Anti-Counterfeiting Packaging
Prevents fake products entering supply chain. Counterfeiting: producing & packaging similar to original while selling it as authentic products.
Types:
Overt: Visible features (e.g., holograms, Optically Varibale devices (OVD)(color-changing inks), QR codes (Quick response codes)). Visible features verifies authenticity. Difficult / expensive to reproduces for fakes.
Covert: Hidden features (e.g., digital watermark, embeddded images, invisible printing on capsules, hidden marks & printed laser coding, secret capsule prints). For brand owner (companies) not patients/ HCPs. User not aware.
RFID: Radio Frequency Identifier. Wireless ID tags to communicate through fixed frequency band to identify the objects. (Technology used in retail for theft prevention, securing building acccess with cards etc). Provides unique identity for the product.
Allows real-time tracking & identity confirmation
4) Eco-Friendly Packaging
Aim: Reduce environmental impact
Challenge: Must maintain drug safety (seal strength, barrier properties)
✅ Example: Ecoslide-RX sustained compliance packaging
Around 100% recycled materials
Unbleached recyclable paperboard
Clay-coated surface
Blister: Minimal unsustainable foil & film for safety of meds. Properly sealed.
✅ Advantages of Smart Packaging
Enhances product protection (monitors stability factors)
Active monitoring & communication
Improved supply chain efficacy
Enhances patient experience
Sistainiability & environmental awareness
Chat: Improves compliance & patient outcomes
Enables real-time monitoring (HCPs, carers)
Boosts supply chain traceability
Supports anti-counterfeiting measures
Potential for sustainable innovations
❌ Disadvantages of Smart Packaging
High cost
Risk of data theft (internet)
Risk of technology malfunction
Not user friendly for some eg elderly disabled, education
Conclusion
SP offers superior functionality vs traditional packaging
Benefits: patient safety, product traceability, inventory management, compliance, traceability, counterfeit prevention, pt & healthcare supply management.
Emerging integration with AI?
Expected to play a major role in the future of healthcare delivery
