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Sunitha Srinivas <s.srinivas@ru.ac.za>
Subject: [india-drug] New packaging methods to foil fakes
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(Source: Pharmabiz?.Thanks?.SS

The idrug participants are requested to share their views on what is
being done in this direction in the other states in India. Thanks?SS)

Karnataka cos adopt new packaging methods to foil fakes
--------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, January 28, 2004 08:00 IST 
Our Bureau, Bangalore

Karnataka pharmaceutical companies are adopting international packaging
methods like non-contact printing, use of barcode and holograms as
measures to safeguard their products from imitation.

Sources from the trade sector representing Bangalore District Druggists
and Chemists Association and the Karnataka Druggists and Chemists
Association informed that over 40 per cent of the companies have
changed their packaging methods in recent months. Most companies have
allocated 5 per cent of the total turnover for innovative packaging
methods. Companies do not adopt different packaging methods for the
domestic and international market.

The acknowledged international packaging methods are holograms, bar
codes and cold forming blister packs, stated pharma industry officials
representing quality assurance departments. 

The leading packaging companies in the state include SMI Technologies,
CVC Technologies, Inter labels, Great Eastern Impex, Associated
Capsules, Benaka Mudrin, Halo Security Technologies, Bangalore.
Companies are also approached by Laser Security, New Delhi and
Holotech, Mumbai with novel packaging technology options. 

Only a bare 10 per cent of the firms were known to have been using
innovative packaging methods till a year ago. Most of the firms
generally used only blister packaging which was not allowed for easy
imitation. 

"The new trends in a packaging will benefit the consumer who is now
assured of superior quality drugs. Not only these measures can prevent
imitation, but better packaging standards will also ensure the quality
of drugs till the expiry date," informed Dr K Suresh K Muhammed,
Karnataka drugs controller. 

The Lok Ayukta raid on the state drugs control department on March 26,
2003, unearthed irregularities in the department and the officials'
inaction had allegedly led to large-scale supply of spurious drugs into
the market. The raids have also revealed that drugs were being sold at
inflated rates. 

After the scam, several alert manufacturers in the state went in for
holograms, colour branding and bar coding the manufacturing dates and
other particulars of the drugs on the packages. 

Some of the common painkillers and other drugs are now sold in standard
packaging with holograms, bar codes and silver foils.

Multinational companies like AstraZeneca Pharma India have also planned
holograms and barcodes on all its products.


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