Repackaging pharmaceuticals in blister packs

Since 2006, Germany has allowed the repackaging of pharmaceuticals in blister packs, enabling patients to have their daily tablet rations repackaged according to quantities and intake times. In the course of this process, the tablets are taken out of the original packaging, divided into portions and filled into labelled bags; these must then pass inspection before being handed to the customer. Originally, chemists were primarily responsible for dividing the medication mixtures into individual blister packs for their patients. Today, the individual blister packs are largely produced in blister packaging centres.

THE ADVANTAGES OF REPACKAGING PHARMACEUTICALS IN BLISTER PACKS

Repackaging medication mixtures, particularly at blister packaging centres, offers numerous advantages.

• The process simplifies daily work for carers, doctors and chemists whilst
• almost completely excluding inadvertent misuse and dosage errors.
• In addition, flexible packaging machines can react immediately when doctors prescribe new medication.

First and foremost, nursing homes, carers and private individuals are intended to benefit from the repackaging of pharmaceuticals in blister packs. Instead of taking the respective pharmaceutical packaging and putting the required medicines for their daily intake together themselves, patients receive their individual medicine mixture prepacked in tubular packaging. The medicine is delivered to patients in blister packaging that contains patient-friendly, weekly rations, ordered by intake dates.

When producing blister packs, manufacturers increasingly ensure that they use sustainable materials. Packaging company HLP Klearfold offers suitable packaging that consists of at least 30 percent recycled plastic.

Today, blister pack machines are generally used to fill and package individual tablet mixtures, which usually come in small quantities. During the process, the medicine is allocated to the respective patient’s personal data set; the required dosage is then tailored to the patient’s needs and packed in an airtight, hygienic strip of sacs. To prevent mistakes and mix-ups, which are common when medicine is put together manually, the weekly doses are labelled with the patient’s name, given a barcode and are filed systematically. Before they are handed to the patients, each strip of sacs containing the sealed bags of tablets is scanned and digitally monitored.