Cartonboard packaging specialist Stora Enso is bringing to market a ground-breaking intelligent packaging solution for pharmaceuticals.
Stora Enso Pharma DDSi is a compliance-monitoring solution based on a new carton with an embedded microchip. The solution is supported by Stora Enso's PackAgent software, which enables compliance monitoring as well as authentication, tracking and tracing of products.
The packaging records the precise date, time and which pill is removed from the package. By pressing an answer key embedded in the carton, the patient can record how he or she feels and responds to the medical treatment. The carton can incorporate a beeper to remind the patient about the medication.
The solution is compatible with the latest mobile technology, which enables such functions as an electronic diary of medication or SMS reminder. The Pharma DDSi solution includes a reader that converts the data from the carton to the PC. The reader has been designed to fit the package precisely, making it very easy to use.
Stora Enso has developed the PackAgent Compliance monitoring software for tracking and tracing the packages, capturing the compliance data and sharing the data with the relevant parties. Together with item-level product identification, the software can be used for product authentication, tracking and tracing. PackAgent determines product authentication and generates a tracking history that can be used for an electronic pedigree. The solution has been piloted in the pharmaceutical industry.
Pharma DDSi is based on the use of Near Field Communication or NFC, a two-way communication technology based on RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). NFC enables wireless communication between devices over a short distance. The technology is primarily used in mobile phones and it is compatible with the existing contactless infrastructure already in use for public transportation and payment.
The next step in this development is to use mobile phones to support compliance monitoring. Stora Enso is working with Nokia on the development of mobile compliance-monitoring solutions.
"Stora Enso is the first company in the world to use Cypak's new single microchip solution in pharmaceuticals packaging. The solution enables low-cost, high-volume applications, which will open the way for global use of intelligent pharmaceutical cartons," said Ismo Saarinen, director, Stora Enso Pharmaceutical Solutions. "Current solutions in the market are based on large electronic modules and have only been used for small-volume pilots."
According to Saarinen, Pharma DDSi will probably be used first in a clinical trial or for a package improvement of a drug that requires high compliance and compliance monitoring.