Pharmapack plays 13 and wins

Growing numbers and innovation in the limelight at the 2014 edition of the international pharmaceutical packaging show Pharmapack Europe. The award winners.

The 13th Pharmapack Europe (Paris, February 12th-13th, 2014) counted 342 exhibitors hailing from 30 different countries (last year there were 280 from 28 countries) and more than 3,100 visitors, a 2% increase, hailing from 62 countries. UBM Canon’s show/conference, dedicated to the packaging and management of pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and health products thus continues to grow, as well as the event’s international scope, as it currently boasts 44% of visitors hailing from outside France. According to the organizers’ calculations, the “typical” operator works for an enterprise supplying pharmaceuticals, packaging materials, medical devices, cosmetics, perfumes, formulation services or packaging, and is generally a managing director, acquisitions manager, project manager, scientist/technician or sales representative.

This year Pharmapack Europe’s “cultural” edge has also been confirmed; founded as an event for professional updates, the event features more than 40 conferences with authoritative speakers representing industry and scientific and legislative institutions. The inevitable awards for innovation draw attention from further afield and testify to the vitality of a continually evolving sector. This year there were two winners, alongside another two special mentions.

2014 winners.
The award for the category “Medical device for diagnostics” was given to the Eyerprim system for eye disorders by Opia Technologies & Groupe JBT. Opi managed to integrate the thin membrane for ocular biopsy with a complex system of 11 components, 8 of which ultra high precision injection moulds.

 

The award for “Quality of life” goes to Nanopass® by Terumo, presented as the world’s smallest and most painless syringe, made using special (non-injection) technology and with an asymmetrical edge for delicate penetration.

The first special mention, in “Homeopathic medicine” was Plastifrance’s Pillstick granule-counter. The system won over the jury with its simplicity: requiring just one hand, it dispenses one granule for every press of the button, it is equipped with easy open/closure and a tamper-evident sheath and is made in various colors.

 

The second mention, for “Veterinary drugs” went to Virbac for its FlexiBag & FarmPack: a primary packaging that guarantees ergonomic and safe manual administration of animal medicine. The heart of the solution is a flexible 8-liter bag of high barrier multi-layer material that prevents contact between the drug and the air, even after opening. The backpack  that contains it was developed by a designer specialized in ergonomics to leave the veterinarian with two free hands.

Nominations for Pharmapack Awards 2015 should be submitted by the end of the year.