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.

With seven inspection lanes and a daily capacity of 650 vehicles, the facility performs tasks that are comparable with an official vehicle inspection in Germany. The inspection center sets new standards in traffic safety and vehicle management and meets stringent standards according to ARS 1355, the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO).

 

Four Partners, One Solution

The project resulted from a collaboration between MAHA, Applus, DKT Deutsche Kennzeichen Technik GmbH (DKT), and Schreiner PrinTrust (SPR). MAHA supplied the inspection technology, Applus was responsible for quality assurance and inspection processes, and DKT provided the digital platform including app solutions. The basis for reliable vehicle identification is also provided by the RFID/NFC label known as the “third license plate” from Schreiner PrinTrust. Bernhard Gött, CEO of DKT, explained, “With the labels from Schreiner PrinTrust, we securely identify vehicles, thus creating the basis for a smart inspection and tracking system.” Dr. Kai Schnapauff, Director of Schreiner PrinTrust, added, “Our technology with UHF and NFC enables flexible RFID reading on both short and long ranges and can easily be expanded with additional functions in the future.” The label can thus not only be read when entering the inspection facility but also serve additional purposes such as future issuing of driver’s licenses or the administration of taxi permits.

A Project with a Signal Effect

The inspection facility in Zanzibar shows how smart technology and international partnerships can substantially advance traffic safety and digital vehicle management. For Schreiner PrinTrust, it is further proof of how versatile and robust the third license plate can be applied worldwide and what potential it may still be able to tap.

RFID technology keeps developing further. To ensure that Schreiner Group’s customers will continue to benefit from state-of-the-art technology, Schreiner’s LogiData competence center continuously optimizes existing products and makes them fit for the future. Specifically, that means the ground’s been cleared for the UCODE 9 family!

The high-performance UCODE 9 chip family from NXP takes center stage in the current conversion process. However, the previous antenna designs were no longer adequate for tapping the full potential of these new chips. “For optimal results, we implemented newly developed—partly proprietary—antenna designs,” explains Hartmut Wiederrecht from Schreiner’s LogiData competence center. As a result, different variants are now available that are precisely adapted to the properties of the new chips— and they truly pack a punch.

 

Tailored to Suit Any Use Case

The team has developed different sizes and geometries for them that deliver top performance according to their uses and substrates. Whether metallic surfaces (On-Metal), a wide variety of plastics, ESD environments, or glass—the capabilities of the UCODE 9 family can be systematically exploited where they’re needed. Typical examples are applications in manufacturing, logistics, or the sensitive electronics and medical device technology.

The Chip that Thinks for Itself

A central feature of the new chip family is its “self-adjust technology.” When the reader responds it analyzes the signal quality and, for instance, automatically adjusts reception amplification. “As a result, readability remains stable even under changing conditions and read errors are significantly reduced—a clear advantage for process reliability,” Wiederrecht emphasizes. In addition, the higher read and write sensitivity combined with the new antenna designs enables more compact, resource-saving RFID tags and generates new prospects for smart manufacturing and sustainable projects.

 

The newest-generation chips are ideally suited for use in logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and other sectors. The UCODE 9 family creates additional potential for optimizing processes, enhancing efficiency, and reducing costs. Especially use cases such as inventory management, asset tracking, or seamless tracking along the supply chain benefit from that. RFID tags that, thanks to tailored antenna technology, precise material selection, and customized development, are perfectly tailored to their task and enable seamless integration—that’s what Schreiner Group stands for, also with this newest chip generation.

The Auto ID sector is at a turning point. Automation, IoT, and real-time localization are fundamentally changing more and more autonomous processes. Peter Altes, Managing Director of AIM-D e.V., the German-speaking unit of the global industry association for Automatic Identification, Data Acquisition, and Mobile Data Communication, talked to us about technological potential and underrated developments—and why standardization is more important than ever before.

Mr. Altes, what development are currently determining the state of Auto ID technology?
Peter Altes: A greenfield warehouse, today, is hardly conceivable anymore without RFID and automation. Now, practically any object is digitally allocated—a prerequisite for fully automated processes. In the case of older, existing facilities, though, the situation looks completely different. That always raises the question: how high is the innovation pressure? What can be changed and, above all, what are the costs? A transformation in ongoing operations resembles open-heart surgery: risky but required.

What has been misjudged or perhaps missed out on to some extent in recent years?
The idea at the beginning of the RFID hype that my yoghurt cup would be equipped with an RFID tag costing 1 cent communicating with me from the fridge telling me that its best-before-date was about to be reached: that tends not to make a lot of sense and is at least economically unfeasible.

Now if we take real-time localization as another example the situation looks different. Even though that technology has been available for a long time the market for it was only sustainably opened a few years ago, which then accelerated the innovation cycle.  

Human identification is another field reflecting the conflict between potential and its ultimate realization. Take a healthcare facility in which bedside sensors indicate that a resident has not gotten up as usual. That example shows that while a feature like that is technically feasible without any problems data protection and privacy must always be considered. In that respect, I’d like to rephrase the question and say that in some cases potential has not been fully tapped yet but not that it has been “missed out on.”

How is the industry changing in general?

Let’s face it, the crucial aspect is how we SEE the developmental potential, and that’s where we can clearly detect that things are opening. While thinking used to take place only in one’s own silo, the industry is now looking toward the left and right, and out of the box. That’s a positive because no technology can accomplish everything. Complex projects call for a technology mix. In that respect, large corporations are sometimes more flexible than SMEs where the saying frequently is, “We’ve always done it that way.” But business pressure is growing—and awareness is changing as well. We can also tell that’s happening in our association: younger members contribute new perspectives.  

Let me put it this way: We used to have product sheets and now there’s TikTok. That doesn’t mean that soon we’re going to be selling Auto ID products and solutions on that platform—but it does show how communication is changing: short, concise, easy to understand. That’s the way forward.

Where are you currently seeing the greatest challenges for the industry?

A subject that I feel is currently still underrated is standardization. Granted, it’s tedious work but it’s immensely important! “Why? Because purely proprietary systems would give a company only short-term advantages—and, honestly speaking, half-life is getting shorter and shorter.  

A globally connected world needs interoperability, in other words, a common language and that’s exactly what we support as an association.

Now venturing a look into the future, where are we going to be in 2030?

I firmly believe that we’re going to see another leap in AIDC technologies in the next few years. We’ve now been through two dents, the coronavirus pandemic and the current market uncertainties, and that has increased the pressure to act. Despite all these crises I’m optimistic and am telling you: in five years, we’re going to be in better shape than we are today! Big solutions are in demand now and they’re going to generate the market too. As an association, we’re going to keep flying the flag, creating awareness—because the journey is far from having ended.

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.

L = Logistic Solutions

With our high-grade RFID labels, we not only deliver the perfect basis for all challenges arising from Industry 4.0 but are primarily valued by customers around the world for our unique, tailored solutions.

O = Optimization

With smart markings, we support customers in process optimization on the factory floor: thanks to digital identification systems, all stations of the supply chain are synchronized and transparency along the entire process chain is enhanced.

G = Good

Quality is one of our central corporate values. Precision and accuracy are hallmarks not only of the acquisition and documentation of all process steps by our labels but also of the end-to-end traceability of components and products.

I = Innovation

Wanting to deliver tailored products to customers means having to think out of the box and daring to pursue new pathways. Thanks to our research and development department and our testing and processing resources, we offer our experts ample freedom for new ideas.

M = Monitoring

End-to-end material tracking on the factory floor and monitoring in real time: our digital markings add measurable value by precisely capturing and controlling the flow of materials and goods.

A = Automation

No Industry 4.0 without automation. We accompany our customers on the automation journey with flexibly configurable Auto ID solutions that seamlessly fit into the relevant automation environments.

T = Track-and-Trace

Transparency is the keyword when looking at supply chains: with our RFID solutions, we ensure traceability along the entire supply chain. Reliably and in real time.

Whether they’re filled with insulin, anti-thrombosis medication, or other medicinal substances—injection pens have versatile uses and become firmly established in healthcare. When it comes to dispensing drugs, not only the pen’s content plays a key role but so does the related NFC label enabling a medication to be identified, authenticated, and tested for its expiration etc. by means of a smartphone and app. To ensure truly trouble-free readability of the smart pens from any angle, the experts from Schreiner LogiData have achieved a decisive evolution of the label antennas.

In many cases, the inscription “Scan here” indicates where users need to position their smartphones for reading the label. But what if there’s no such description? “That’s when readability must be ensured from truly any position,” said Team Leader Hartmut Wiederrecht, explaining the situation prompting the further technological development and the requirement from the Schreiner MediPharm business unit as the expert in the pharmaceutical sector.

 

Emission Characteristics of Inlays

To obtain a precise idea of what inlay has what kind of emission characteristics, the team used various NFC antennas, software specifically developed for that purpose, and a highly complex design that the experts developed and optimized over a longer period of time based on in-depth technical knowledge. “It was fascinating to see the differences in the antennas’ performance in various orientations,” Wiederrecht recalled. “And I’m honest, a particularly small antenna did pose a few challenges to us.” Yet the extensive photogrammetric image makes it possible for the RFID experts to enhance the design and to precisely optimize the NFC antennas for pen labels.

 

Valuable Findings

The measurement setup provided the Schreiner LogiData team with valuable findings. Not only serving as the basis for current projects, they also drive the development of future solutions to ensure that customers will enjoy reliable NFC data transmission even under challenging conditions.

When it comes to the utilization of RFID, aspects such as precision, resilience, etc.—and smart solutions—are crucial. Now, what happens when those properties are tested under extreme conditions? Exactly that is what Schreiner Group’s research and development department has found out. With a specially developed demonstrator it impressively shows the resilience of the company’s proprietary Robust RFID technology—unconditionally, reliably, and impressively.

Everything started with a simple but crucial question: How can the resilience and functionality of the Robust RFID chips be demonstrated vividly and understandably? “Our customers expect absolute reliability even under harsh conditions. We wanted to make that tangible in a new way,” said Johannes Becker, Head of the Schreiner LogiData competence center. In contrast to the typical in-house quality inspections, a mobile test setup was to be created this time—specifically developed for use at the LogiMAT logistics trade show.

The first stage of the project was an investigation of physical feasibility: what weight can be dropped on the label from what height to effectively demonstrate the protective effect of the technology? “The next stage was focused on the general conditions: what size may the design have? And how can the test be designed to be reliable and reproducible?” added the director of the Services competence center, Michael Reineke. The solution: a simple setup consisting of a drop tower, base plate, and weight. Designed on a computer, the prototype created by the Schreiner Services competence center ultimately took shape.

A Design for Extreme Situations

The demonstrator is somewhat reminiscent of a mini guillotine: The mechanism is activated by pulling a string. Operating a lever activates a mechanism that causes a weight to fall on the RFID chip from a defined height. Subsequently, the chip is read to check the function. Of course, the demonstrator is designed to ensure that no-one is injured by the test setup–which is an important aspect for using it at trade shows or on customers’ premises. The setup is handy, robust, and, above all, safe.

Compact but Effective

With a height of just under one meter and a weight of roughly ten kilograms, the demonstrator is compact but impressive. It stands not only for the robustness of RFID technology but also for the cross-functional collaboration at Schreiner Group. And what about the “free fall”? That’s far more than just a test because it impressively shows that reliability and resilience aren’t mere marketing promises but a commitment to living technology.

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.

Counterfeit medicines pose a great risk to patients—and entail a loss of image and trust for the pharmaceutical manufacturers concerned. High-priced drugs and those in great demand are particularly attractive for counterfeiters. With its NFC labels, Schreiner MediPharm offers a particularly secure digital solution preventing counterfeits and enabling interactive patient support at the same time.

More and more patients are using pens and autoinjectors for self-medication. With seal solutions and overt authentication features, they can check if the devices are potential fakes but only digital security features provide higher levels of safety. That’s why Schreiner MediPharm has developed NFC-based solutions supporting patients in safely using the devices. With a smartphone and via the NFC label on their injection device, end users can quickly and reliably check if the product they’re holding in their hands is an original. The NFC labels from Schreiner MediPharm offer high-level security ensured by chips with an encryption function whose code cannot be counterfeit or tampered with.

The special design of the NFC label that wraps around part of the cap provides a clear digital seal function in addition to digital authentication. As soon as the end user scans the NFC label with a smartphone an automatic check is run to indicate if the product is intact or has been opened before. The digital solution not only enhances security but also provides pharmaceutical manufacturers with the opportunity to monitor gray market activities and to interactively support patients in administering their medication.

Thanks to its robust design and reliable integration in the manufacturing process, the NFC label can be easily included in the processing of pens and autoinjectors. The NFC functionality is ensured also on high-speed label dispensing systems so that the label enables reliable reading of the chip during the product’s entire lifecycle. The utilization of NFC technology helps prevent counterfeiting, enhance product and patient safety, and protect the supply chain.