Development company GP Solutions (UK) believes it has introduced the world’s first child resistant label for blister packs to meet the new British Standard – BS8404.
The label was developed three years ago with sister company Citation Clinical Labeling Systems to meet changes made by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission for clinical trial materials in the home and holds a US patent.
Child resistance is achieved with a permanent and peelable adhesive system applied to match the layout of blister packs. Peelable areas cover the blister pockets, making it difficult to push tablets through foil until the label is removed. The opening mechanism meets requirements for a two-step process set out by the Medicines Control Agency.
Various flexible materials can be used, including PP, clear or metallised, depending on print needs. It is designed to fit most blister packs and does not require changes to blister contact material that may affect stability data.
The labels are applied at speeds of around 600/min onto blister packs in a single pass. Applicators are designed to meet blister-packing requirements by B&W Pharmaceutical Services.
The British Standard for child resistant blister packs for aspirin, paracetamol and iron passed consultation in November 2002 and will be implemented on 16 February 2003.
Pharmaceutical companies have nine months to ensure packaging meets obligations, marking the biggest change in blister packs in 40 years. A European standard will be introduced later this year.
Graham Howieson of GP Solutions says that there is currently no other label solutions for child-resistant blister packs. GP is supplying the labels to companies in the UK, Europe and US.
GP is now in discussion with a major commercial label producer to take on the license for global manufacture to meet demands that could include 600 product licenses in the UK alone.