Convenient removal of product leaflet from separate compartment. © Gerresheimer AG

Will electronic displays take the place of paper labels in future?

Reading product information on interactive screens. In cooperation with another British company “Novalia”, University of Sheffield staff have developed flexible displays for pharmaceutical and food packaging, which could very soon take the place of paper labels. This innovative packaging solution is designed to ease drug administration for patients, on the one hand, and to reduce fraud, on the other. Furthermore, integrated LED lighting ensures attention-grabbing PoS placement.

Final testing under way

Already last year new Aspirin tablet packets were equipped with mini screens in a trial run. A broad-based roll-out of this interactive product information will only become reality though over the coming four years, say experts. At present this technology is primarily used for paper boxes but soon other packaging materials are to follow.

Soon considered a standard feature? Screens on packaging replace labels. © audioposter.com

Outside rather than inside

To grant consumers easy and fast access to information, manufacturers are increasingly turning to packaging inserts attached to the packaging of the products themselves:

1. Edelmann GmbH developed one solution in cooperation with Schreiner MediPharm. Multi-lingual product information is no longer imprinted on labels or package inserts but in a booklet glued to the outside of the folding box. This way it is easily accessible, readable even before opening the original package and loss protected, nevertheless. The top film layer eases opening and re-closing; security inks are used to prevent counterfeiting.

Thanks to special gluing to the outside of the pack packaging inserts can no longer be lost. © Schreiner MediPharm

2. Essentras’ ten-page ‘PLURIUM™ LEAFLET’ also comes in several languages and is glued to the outside of the tablet box. This prevents possible injuries caused by staples or other types of fastening. Coloured backgrounds for individual paragraphs ease the search for specific information.

Rendering staples superfluous: PLURIUM™ LEAFLET by Essentra is glued to the outside of the pack. © Essentra Packaging Ltd

3. The Gerresheimer Duma Combi-Container has a separate compartment for the product data sheet. After convenient removal consumers can simply store the insert inside the pack without any cumbersome folding. This space provides the producer with extra space for individual marketing design and branding.

Further information

25.04.2016

Innovative pharmaceutical packaging: beautiful, safe and sustainable

Now also available in colour: the safe 'FlexiCap' for bottles. © Schreiner MediPharm

Once a year employees of the Internet platform Healthcare Packaging recognise outstanding pharmaceutical packaging designs. For 2016 the results are in – and below we introduce you to seven of the 20 particularly user-friendly, sustainable, innovative or original winners.

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