PHARMACEUTICAL

Safer prescriptions

Consumer and safety information like traceability, batch and expiration date are requested on the Pharmaceutical industry.

But there are new and more demanding requests in the market right now such as Datamatrix, in order to track inventory and prescription compliance with National health systems, hospitals and pharmacies.

Again laser marking through coat removing is the optimal choice for most packaging presentations.

Laser marking improves costs compared to inkjet technology. No consumables, or toxic chemicals like solvents are used. Laser Marking is a clean and green process with almost no maintenance.

Instead of printing with black ink over white carton, Laser marking systems remove the stained carton surface with the laser beam. This is in order to get a clear, almost white print on a darker background, that has high readability and difficult to manipulate.

In the U.S. prescription marking is F.D.A.-regulated and mandatory. In Europe similar or even stricter regulations are in place.

Going beyond

Many laboratories are marking the blisters inside the packages in order to provide the end user with a safe way to identify the prescription, dose and expiration date.

Especially in older people clear prints of decent size can make a difference in readability and peace of mind for the user.

Many blisters are made on a plastic and aluminum foil combination.

“Child safe” technology is being adopted on many prescriptions.

Marking a metal foil blister instead of carton needs a different technology. Metal foil reflects away most of the infrared light used on C02 Lasers that work on the far infrared spectrum.

Fiber (near infrared) and blue Lasers have been used with success, providing clear marks on metal foils

Marking the individual pill or lozenge adds a higher degree of security. Direct Laser marking is the only process approved by the FDA. Inks are toxic and should not be used on oral prescriptions