The digital transformation is in full swing also in the pharmaceutical industry. Smart and interactive solutions for process optimization, digital tracing, authentication, and patient support are becoming increasingly important. But it takes more than a chip in a label for truly reliable performance of applications in the healthcare sector—it takes in-depth expertise and that’s exactly where Schreiner MediPharm displays its fortes.

Drawing on more than twenty years of experience in RFID technology specifically for pharmaceutical applications, Schreiner MediPharm is a leading supplier of smart label solutions for the pharmaceutical industry committed to the maxim: Pharma-RFID that outperforms—in other words, RFID that absolutely reliably performs under the special conditions of the pharmaceutical sector. “Many suppliers talk about smart applications—we make them a reality. Our claim is to achieve smooth RFID imple­mentation from the first test to final use,” says Sebastian Münscher, Senior Product Manager RFID/NFC Solutions at Schreiner MediPharm.

Tailored Technology for Complex Requirements

Whereas standard RFID-Labels are often stretched to the limits as early as in high-speed processing—for instance, due to chip breakage or antenna issues—Schreiner MediPharm has developed unique robust label designs that are specifically tailored to the requirements of the pharmaceutical industry. Whether for vials, syringes, pens, or secondary packaging, the solutions are designed to combine top quality, scalabil­ity, and process reliability. Thanks to extensive research and development capacities, Schreiner MediPharm offers a wide range of customized RFID solutions: from application-specific chip selection to specifically developed antenna geometries to extensive testing opportunities.

Technology Leader with Industry Knowledge

Schreiner MediPharm excels particularly in terms of combining technological know-how and in-depth understanding of pharmaceutical requirements. As a long-standing A-level supplier to leading global pharmaceutical corporations, the company draws on detailed knowledge of the regulatory hurdles, production processes, and security requirements of its customers. “An RFID project is no standard solution. We support our customers from the initial idea to series production—including intensive testing, integration into pharma packaging lines, and validation,” Münscher explains. State-of-the-art production systems and flexible scaling options enable us to produce even large volumes at consistently high levels of quality. At the same time, stringent quality management ensures that the RFID functionality is reliably retained up until it reaches the final user—be it in bulk reading processes in hospital settings or tapping with a smartphone. That not only optimizes logistics processes along the supply chain but also enables interactions with patients and healthcare staff—for instance, by means of NFC solutions for authentication or digital first-opening indications.

Smart Solution, True Added Value

The benefits for pharmaceutical manufacturers are obvious: Reliable RFID solutions from Schreiner MediPharm minimize failure rates, prevent production downtimes due to faulty labels, and avoid higher costs. At the same time, they increase patient safety and contribute to differentiation in the market. With every successfully implemented solution, Schreiner MediPharm underscores its role as a pioneer in the field of pharmaceutical RFID-Labels—not only technologically but also strategically. “Our customers expect technology that works—we deliver solutions that stand the test of real-world settings. That makes us the leading partner for pharma RFID worldwide,” concludes Münscher.

Innovative active ingredients such as mRNA, biologics, or cell and gene therapies not only bring progress—they also place the highest demands on their packaging. The situation becomes particularly critical when drugs are stored and transported at high sub-zero temperatures. In those cases, reliable tamper evidence truly poses a challenge. Schreiner MediPharm has developed a new solution exactly for that purpose: a transparent deep-freeze seal that reliably works even at temperatures down to -196 °C (-320 °F).

The special feature of the seal is that it will destroy itself when trying to remove it due to a dual security mechanism: the multi-tear effect. It means that not only the seal itself tears due to integrated security cuts that irreversibly destroy it (film tear) but that the cardboard surface of the folding box comes off as well (fiber tear). Any tampering attempt thus becomes immediately visible. In addition, the deep-freeze seal offers a guilloche as an integrated authentication feature. Further overt, semi-covert, and covert authenticity features can be added on request, resulting in a multi-level security solution tailored to the customer’s specific needs.

The transparent deep-freeze seal is suitable for storage temperatures down to -196 °C (-320 °F). Two variants of the seal are available: one for dispensing at 10 °C (50 °F) and a second one for application at temperatures down to as much as -50 °C (-58 °F). Both variants reliably adhere to the folding box across the entire supply chain—from production to final use.

With its many years of expertise in the development of security seals for the pharmaceutical industry, Schreiner MediPharm not only offers technical excellence but also comprehensive consulting support along the entire process chain. Every seal project is customized to suit the specific use case and threat scenario—naturally in compliance with the EU’s Falsified Medicines Directive and ISO 21976.

Safety for the user, cost efficiency for the manufacturer, and a clear gain for the environment: With Needle-Trap, Schreiner MediPharm offers a unique system for protection against needlestick injuries combining economy and sustainability in a single product—while setting standards.

Unlike conventional systems, the needle protection of Schreiner MediPharm’s Needle-Trap is not an additional device but an integral component of the label. Delivered on rolls, it can be applied to syringes on dispensing systems at high speed and without additional process steps. For pharmaceutical manufacturers, that means less logistical effort, less material, less costs.

But Needle-Trap impresses not only in terms of processing and process optimization. Regarding sustainability, the system shows its strengths as well: Compact design, no need for metallic springs, and clearly reduced plastics content have effects along the entire supply chain—from reduced space requirements during storage, transportation, and cooling to more eco-friendly disposal.

The newest version, Needle-Trap Secu, even takes these benefits a step further. It enables blister-free packaging thanks to an integrated first-opening indication—as another contribution to the reduction of packaging materials, CO₂ emissions, and costs.

Calculation examples for 10 million units of Needle-Trap in terms of total cost of own­ership and sustainability show: double production capacity per year, up to 50% less costs, more than 80% less CO₂ emissions, and reductions of up to 53 tons of plastics—all without compromising safety.

In other words, it’s a system that demonstrates that progress is created where smart solutions solve several challenges at the same time—to the satisfaction of customers and users, and benefit to the environment.

United by an ambitious goal: The members of the Alliance to Zero are committed to sustainably reducing CO₂ emissions along the pharmaceutical supply chain—with a view toward compliance with the Paris Climate Agreement. Halfway into the year, the network got together for an onsite meeting at Schreiner MediPharm in Oberschleissheim—engaged in an intensive exchange with a vision.

The Alliance has existed since June 2021. In addition to the founding members—Datwyler, Harro Höfliger, Körber Pharma, SCHOTT Pharma, Sharp, Ypsomed, and Schreiner MediPharm—Resourcify, a specialist in recycling solutions, has now also joined the initiative. All members share a common goal: Only through close collab­oration can changes be achieved that will transform the entire sector toward net-zero emissions. A specific example of successful collaboration is a Secure Blister-Free Packaging Concept for prefilled syringes that considerably reduces CO₂ emissions, optimizes processes, and reduces costs at the same time.

The most recent meeting in Oberschleissheim offered the Alliance an opportunity to continue driving important topics. In addition to technical presentations—for instance, on the pending Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)—specific actions were developed in strategic discussions and special working groups.

Company Tour as a Highlight

The company tour at Schreiner Group’s headquarters in Oberschleissheim was a highlight of the gathering. It provided the guests with deep insights into the high-tech production of innovative pharma labels and enabled them to obtain an on-site idea of Schreiner Group’s sustainability measures. A joint evening event rounded off the day and provided room for further informal exchange—all in the spirit of trusting col­laboration on which the Alliance to Zero is based.

Biologics, mRNA therapies, antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) as anticancer drugs, and other novel pharmaceuticals are highly effective—but equally sensitive. Reliably protecting them requires more than just suitable primary packaging. At Schreiner MediPharm, Corinna Endres, Product Manager Drug Protection, oversees tailored label solutions with protective functions such as light protection and gas barriers or that are suitable for deep-freeze applications. In an interview, she provides insights into current challenges and innovations in the field of drug protection.

Corinna, what challenges do modern active ingredients (APIs) such as biologics or mRNA drugs entail for packaging?

Many of these APIs react extremely sensitively to external influences such as light, oxygen, or temperature. That makes packaging them a complex matter. Especially in the case of transparent containers, or COC syringes, which offer many advantages but have a lower barrier effect against oxygen, additional protection is required. The objective is to ensure the stability and effectiveness of a drug—without limiting the functionality or visual inspection of the container. Especially with highly sensitive drugs, that’s often a balancing act.

One of the focal topics is light protection. What solutions do you offer for that?

Our light protection solutions are based on a modular concept—depending on the sensitivity of the API. There are three protection levels: from UV protection with a transparent inspection window to full light protection with a resealable inspection window. These protection levels can be integrated into various label types. The Light-Protect-Label, for instance, offers customized UV and light protection for vials or syringes. The Syringe- Closure-Wrap Label wraps around the syringe barrel and cap and is equipped with a first-opening indication feature. For light protection of larger syringes, we’ve developed the Cap-Lock Label that envelops the barrel and cap combined with a sealing function.

What about temperature stability—in the case of mRNA drugs, for instance?

Deep-freezing plays an increasingly important role. Many mRNA or cell and gene based drugs are stored at -80 °C or even lower temperatures. For those requirements, we’ve developed the Freeze-Light-Protect Label. It reliably adheres to the container even at extreme sub-zero temperatures and can be combined with various light protection levels and other functions such as graduations or documentation labels.

And how can protection against oxygen be enhanced?

That’s where our labels with an integrated gas barrier come into play. They significantly reduce oxygen diffusion—an important issue especially with COC syringes. We offer variants that either cover a large area of the syringe barrel or, in the form of Syringe-Closure-Wrap, enclose the cap as well. The latter variant additionally includes an irreversible first-opening indication for tamper evidence.

Detailed information can be found on our Drug Protection product page: www.drug-protect-label.com

Digital solutions are key for enhanced inventory management and patient safety in hospital environments. At the same time, product integrity has to be ensured until the point of use. Schreiner MediPharm’s Cap-Lock Label with RFID functionality enables digital tracking of prefilled syringes on unit level as well as enhanced efficiencies along the supply chain.

The new Cap-Lock plus RFID is based on the proven principle of Schreiner MediPharm’s Cap-Lock Label and is combined with SCHOTT Pharma’s SCHOTT TOPPAC^® infuse COC syringes. Thanks to a special cap design that has the same diameter as the syringe barrel, the Cap-Lock Label wraps around the syringe and cap. A label-integrated irreversible first-opening indication is activated as soon as the cap is opened. The solution safeguards the integrity of the prefilled syringe until final use, thus replacing the usual blister pack by a sustainable alternative enabling considerable CO₂ reductions and cost savings. Additionally, due to optimized packaging and distribution processes as well as reduced space requirements during transportation and storage, it helps enhance efficiencies along the entire supply chain.

The special innovation of Schreiner MediPharm’s Cap-Lock plus RFID is its integrated RFID functionality. In addition to the analog first-opening indication, the chip embedded in the label offers a digital first-opening indication. In hospital settings, this enables automated tracking of the integrity of each individual prefilled syringe—up until the medication is administered. Consequently, there is no need to manually check if the syringe has previously been opened, resulting in optimized and reliable processes for healthcare staff. At the same time, clear identification on unit level is supported, which makes seamless tracking in the supply chain possible and facilitates automated inventory management in daily hospital settings. Expired drugs are automatically detected and unused prefilled syringes can be returned to inventory in a reliable process. Potential diversions and medication misuse can be monitored digitally.

Like all RFID solutions from MediPharm, the new Cap-Lock plus RFID features a particularly robust design. A special label construction reliably protects the integrated chip against mechanical stress and functional failure—even on the high-speed dispensing systems in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Thus, the readability and functional reliability of the label-integrated RFID chip is guaranteed from production to final use. As a result, pharmaceutical companies are provided with a reliable solution avoiding additional costs due to production downtimes and waste rates. At the same time, product and patient safety is enhanced.

Light-sensitive substances such as biologics or biosimilars react sensitively to UV and light rays—which may impair their efficacy and shelf life. Schreiner MediPharm meets this challenge with innovative light protection labels that not only protect the sensitive substances but also enhance safety and efficiency when using prefilled syringes.

Prefilled syringes have become an integral part of everyday medical practice due to their ease and speed of use by healthcare staff and patients. However, the transparency of glass or COC poses a risk to light-sensitive drugs: UV and light rays can impair the active ingredients. That’s why Schreiner MediPharm offers customized light protection solutions that are suitable for all commonly used types and sizes of syringes—whether with needles or Luer-lock adapters.

The new functional labels from Schreiner MediPharm are available in three light protection levels covering various requirements. While Level 1 offers UV protection as well as allowing transparency thanks to an integrated inspection window, Level 2 additionally protects against blue light–but still allows to see the fill level due to a semi-transparent window. For maximum safety, Level 3 offers full light protection. If necessary, resealable inspection windows may be integrated to check the syringe content in its original color.

The light protection can be integrated in three different types of labels meeting the individual requirements of pharmaceutical companies with a variety of functions. The Light-Protect-Label covers the syringe barrel while the Syringe-Closure-Wrap Label wraps around the syringe barrel and cap, which increases the light protection and has a first-opening indication feature as well. The Cap-Lock Label has been designed specifically for the SCHOTT TOPPAC^® infuse syringe and also combines increased light protection with first-opening indication. Additional features such as graduations and documentation labels may be integrated too. Thus, the new light protection labels combine protection, functionality, and efficiency—for more safety and reliability when using light-sensitive substances.

Schreiner MediPharm extends its offering of smart packaging solutions by the new Smart Syringe Box. Thanks to integrated electronics, a wide variety of syringe packaging can now be digitized. The innovative solution enables automatic tracking of drug administration in clinical trials where precise therapy control is essential. Due to a special temperature monitoring feature, the Smart Syringe Box additionally provides benefits for temperature-sensitive biopharmaceuticals.

International clinical trials require maximum accuracy and efficient workflow but manual processes are often error-prone. Correct and regular administration of investigational drugs is essential but hard to monitor. Deviations from the dosing regimen can cause adulterated results and delays in time to market. A digital therapy monitoring solution such as the Smart Syringe Box provides crucial support in this case. Thanks to a cardboard layer with easy to open, perforated compartments, the removal of every single syringe can be precisely logged. The integrated electronics register relevant data such as removal time and the corresponding compartment in real time which are subsequently stored in the packaging and transmitted to a database via a smartphone app or Bluetooth.

A special benefit of the Smart Syringe Box is the option to integrate a temperature monitoring function. This is especially important for temperature-sensitive substances such as biopharmaceuticals as it enables tracking of the correct transportation and storage conditions. The adherence data generated not only support therapy tracking but also adjustments of individual therapy plans. The combination with specialized software enables central tracking, which facilitates the documentation and analysis
of the data.

Schreiner MediPharm adapts the integrated conductive lines precisely to the packaging design and the compartments to ensure reliable functionality and convenient handling. Scalable processes enable consistent automated production. The Smart Syringe Box offers numerous benefits for clinical trials: enhanced data quality, reduced failure rates due to non-adherence and optimized processes that reduce costs and shorten time to market of new drugs. At the same time, the need for manual documentation is eliminated, enabling higher flexibility and efficiency when conducting complex trials.

Schreiner MediPharm together with SCHOTT Pharma and Körber Pharma has developed an innovative packaging concept for prefilled syringes requiring no blister packaging. The new solution offers numerous benefits in terms of sustainability, security, and cost efficiency and met with strong interest at this year’s Pharmapack in Paris. The three partners are thus emphasizing their pioneering role in the field of pharmaceutical packaging.

The blister-free concept is based on the combination of a SCHOTT TOPPAC^® infuse COC syringe with an innovative specialty cap and the novel Cap-Lock Label from Schreiner MediPharm. Due to the new cap design, which has the same diameter as the syringe barrel, the Cap-Lock Label can be applied to the syringe barrel and cap in a reliable process, enabling tamper-evident first-opening indication. Opening the cap irreversibly damages the label so that users immediately see if the syringe has been opened before. “With this solution, we ensure maximum product safety and integrity—from manufacturing to final use,” explains Dr. Nadine Lampka, Senior Product Manager Pharma-Security at Schreiner MediPharm.

Moreover, the Cap-Lock Label performs other protective functions of the conventional blister and transfers them to the primary container. For instance, it can include a gas barrier and multi-level UV and light protection ensuring the stability of the active ingredients. In addition, the extended label area provides ample space for individual product markings and color codes. The integration of an RFID chip for automated tracking on unit level and for digital first-opening indication are possible as well. The combination of a COC syringe with a special cap and functional label with a seal function enables the utilization of a volume-optimized top-load cardboard box from Körber Pharma consisting of 100 percent mono-material. That optimizes packaging and distribution processes in pharmaceutical manufacturing and clearly reduces the space required for transportation and storage.

The new concept offers considerable economic benefits for pharmaceutical manufacturers—while clearly enhancing sustainability. The space-saving packaging reduces material consumption and enables more efficient logistics. “Due to eliminating the need for blister packaging, we can reduce plastics and plastics waste by up to 80 percent and significantly increase transportation capacity at the same time,” emphasizes Christoph Zauner, Head of Global Product Management for Polymer Solutions at SCHOTT Pharma. A sample calculation shows that the number of containers for one shipment of ten million 5 ml SCHOTT TOPPAC^® infuse syringes from Hamburg to New York can be reduced by 16 while avoiding around 87,400 kilograms of CO₂ emissions.

At Pharmapack, the three partner firms presented the solution as part of the Alliance to Zero Workshop “How to Build Sustainable Value Chains Together”. Lidia Smith, Sustainability and Product Manager at Körber Pharma, emphasizes, “The great response at the trade fair shows that sustainable packaging concepts are urgently needed. Our collaboration with Schreiner MediPharm and SCHOTT Pharma is an important step toward an eco-friendlier pharma supply chain.” Schreiner MediPharm underscores its commitment to innovative, sustainable solutions with further functional labels for pre-filled syringes including Needle-Trap Secu and Syringe-Closure-Wrap, both of which enable secure, blister-free packaging as well.

Digital Display Labels are a groundbreaking new approach for clinical trials. They enable flexible, digital marking of investigational drugs and have the potential to replace conventional labels in the future, eliminating the need for time-consuming re-labeling. This not only optimizes the supply chain but also accelerates the entire trial process and enhances efficiency in providing current information for patients and clinical personnel. Schreiner MediPharm has developed a new concept for this purpose.

Clinical trials demand utmost flexibility, speed, and precision but conventional labels with static information reach their limits in that regard. Changes in the patient group, the expiration date, or the protocol number as well as regulatory adjustments require complex re-labeling of the investigational drugs, which causes delays and high costs.

The Digital Display Label from Schreiner MediPharm is an electronic component with an e-label indicator. The solution is based on a modular, reusable plastic housing securely enclosing the display electronics. An adapter system enables the Digital Display Label to be connected to the respective packaging form. Thus, the label is suitable for flat applications like blister wallets or kit boxes and for round applications such as plastic bottles or vials. The latter can additionally be equipped with light protection or a blinding feature. The e-label content can be updated in real time so that patients and clinical personnel receive the information in a timely manner.

In addition to flexibility, the Digital Display Label scores with sustainability and reliability. Both the housing and the container adapter are reusable, which saves resources and avoids waste. The integrated electronics are protected against external influences and the adapter ensures a reliable connection between the Digital Display Label and the container or the packaging. Existing standard packaging can be used for integrating the Digital Display Label without any modifications.

Thanks to digital updating of the label information, delays due to manual re-labeling are eliminated, inventory levels are reduced, and the entire logistics process is optimized. At the same time, patient compliance increases and the risk of potential trial discontinuations due to label changes clearly decreases. Enhanced efficiency not only shortens time to market but also leads to significant cost savings for research-based pharmaceutical companies.