CPhI’s 5th annual InnoPack Pharma Confex held in Mumbai on June 2 and 3, 2016 saw a huge turnout in terms of delegates and speakers. Even the number of companies putting up stands at the venue was greater than previous editions. Talking about their products and solutions at their stands were some of the leading companies from pharmaceutical, packaging, label and chemical industries. Both the days were packed with enlightening presentations by leading personalities from across the above-mentioned industries.
The keynote address was delivered by Sudhanshu Pandey, joint secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Pandey talked extensively about the Indian and export regulations for pharmaceutical packaging. He said that the pharma packaging segment is the face and the soul of the pharma industry.
The rest of the presentations were divided in two tracks which were held simultaneously. Both Track 1 and Track 2 had multiple highlights with some very pertinenttopics being discussed and talked about. There were topics ranging from regulations for ink manufacturers, sustainable packaging, migration issues for labelstock, latest trends in pharma labels, to name just a few.
Anand Khare in his presentation discussed why sustainable packaging was important. Khare who is head – innovations, ACG Pharmapack defines sustainability as understanding interconnections between economy, society and environment. He said sustainable packaging would help brand owners with brand recognition, product differentiation, address regulatory concerns, and would have a positive impact on end consumers.
Karan Kapur of Mumbai-based JK Labels, supplier of quality speciality labels, talked about the evolution of pharma labels over the years. He informed the audience about the latest trends in labels such as freeze prooflabels, track and trace labels, filmic liners. Some anti-counterfeiting solutions he talked about are substrate-based – void labels, inbuilt embossed effect, fibre tear, to name a few. Some value-based solutions are – security inks, nano lines, holograms, among other products.
With a focus on the issue of drug overdose, Santanu Chowdhury, associate director, Sun Pharma, gave a detailed presentation on drug dispensing technologies for senior citizens and child-resistant packaging. Chowdhury said, “When it comes to pharma packaging, ergonomic designs have to be emphasized more than the aesthetic appeal. A pharma pack has to be designed by taking into account the varying physical and sensory capabilities of endusers to ensure that it canbeused by disabled as well by the old age group. Asper WHO reports, the number of people over 60 years is set to double by 2050 andnearly 60% ofthose are between70 and 80 years old, and a whopping 66% of those over 80 report hitches in dispensing the product from existing packs. Any ideal senior friendly pack, must be opened within 5 minutes by 90% of the adults.”
Chowdhury shared few innovations in pharma packagingmeantto aid senior citizens. He talked about magnifierlid integrated with the pack which makes it easierto read small font. DropAid’s is a creative design that allows the userto correctly position the bottle above the eye and capwith an integrated metered dosing system that allows a metered dose of medicine flow from the container. First day presentations were followed by the first edition of The India Packaging Awards. The awards recognized excellence and innovation in the packaging industry and celebrated the thinkers and creators who break new grounds in packaging.
ChakravarthiAVPS,CEO, managing director, Ecobliss India; Rahul Bhargava, director – Packaging and Technology Development, Sun Pharma; Gurpreet Sandhu, managing director, RevaPharma;AlaguSubramaniamArunachalam, director and countrymanager – IndiaWest; andSanjayGhoshal, seniordirector andglobalhead of packaging,Dr. Reddy’s Laboratorieswere the jurymembers and picked ‘the Best of the Best.’ Around 10 awards in different categories were distributed to pharma companies. Dr. Reddy received four awards and Zydus Cadila received two awards in excellence in R&D and design in liquid orals, semi-solid and pressurized products, solid dosage forms and injectables. Similarly, Webtech Labels was honoured for quality assurance, Dabur India was awarded for R&D in development of new product/technology and ITC Paper boards and Speciality Paper Division was recognized for sustainable packaging.
On the second day the schedule was relatively shorter with fewer presentations. However, there were still some important topics discussed. Rajesh Khatwani ofSMI Coated Products talked about how itis importantto use appropriate and correctlabelstock for specific pharma products. He also informed the audience about various labelstocks that are used for pharma products. K Bangarurajan, deputy drugs controller (India), Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) talked about packaging regulations forthe US, European markets.
