In addition to the traditional benefits of pharmaceutical label printing, the pros and cons of this type of printing vary depending on the product being packaged. Small drug vials can present unique challenges, including tight circumferences and limited surface area. Small drug vials often present challenging labeling challenges, where the labels can come off completely or become loose around the perimeter. A knowledgeable label printer can weigh these factors and back up their recommendations with reliable testing data.
Traceability
Pharmaceutics requires an accurate, precise and secure traceability of products at every stage of the manufacturing process. Traceability is essential for quality assurance and safety standards, as it allows for the identification of errors in production and distribution. It also helps identify potential optimisation opportunities, and ensures product security for manufacturers. In addition, traceability enables accurate reporting of manufacturing costs. The following article describes the benefits of traceability in pharmaceutical label printing.
The Drug Quality Security Act (DQSA) has been passed by the United States, which aims to improve overall traceability. The act requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to serialize their products using a machine-readable data format. Two-dimensional DataMatrix codes are the most commonly used machine-readable formats. This data helps prevent the sale of counterfeit medications. It also improves the overall reputation of pharmaceutical brands. Pharmaceutical labels should be traceable, as per the law.
Legibility
The print legibility of pharmaceutical labels is one of the most critical aspects of medication packaging. While many health professionals consider legibility to be of utmost importance, the fact is that many pharmaceutical labels do not meet print legibility standards. This can lead to miscommunication about medication, resulting in poor patient outcomes. There are very few guidelines that set print standards for the labels of various medications. The study focused on examining sample prescription labels from pharmacies in Ontario, Canada, and comparing the print characteristics of patient-critical information with the print guidelines.
Pharmacists were asked to sign a consent form and were informed of the purpose of the study. They were given a sample label of a normal prescription and a large print sample. The syringes were then labeled with the appropriate information. Afterward, pharmacists were asked to look at the labels and judge the legibility. They were instructed to discard any syringes that did not meet the requirements of the study.
Government Regulations
Pharmaceutical label printing has strict requirements. FDA guidelines govern the entire process, from the design to the label itself. Print quality, legibility, accuracy, and materials qualification are all critical factors. A pharmaceutical label must be durable and traceable, which are just some of the factors to consider when you are looking for a printer. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your pharmaceutical label printing project. Listed below are some of the most common requirements for pharmaceutical labels.
In addition to strict Government regulations, you must store your labels in a controlled environment and remove them only when the product type can be cross-verified. This helps reduce counterfeiting, which is a major concern in the pharmaceutical industry. To combat this, manufacturers are turning to barcodes and randomized tracking numbers on their labels. These features make it harder for counterfeiters to duplicate a label, and many manufacturers are considering tamper-proof labels and hidden images. For those concerned about safety, print-and-apply machines are available.
Xeikon's DuraFast Pharmaceutical Labels
With the help of the CX300 digital press, Xeikon pharmaceutical label manufacturers can now print custom spot colors and self-adhesive pharmaceutical labels. This new press features five print stations that expand the color gamut beyond CMYK. Moreover, the press has a resolution of 1200 dpi that allows for precise printing of small details.
Digital Printing Technology
One of the key advantages of digital printing technology for pharmaceutical label production is its ability to reduce the lead time and provide flawless labels faster than traditional methods. For example, a standard flexographically printed label may take three to four weeks to print while a digitally printed label can be delivered overnight or the same day. Furthermore, digitally printed labels eliminate many of the quality-related issues that can arise with traditional printing processes.
Another advantage of digital printing is its ability to produce full-color labels at a lower cost than traditional methods. Digital printing technology has been around for several decades, though the development of narrow-web digital presses is only recently. This newer technology is designed to produce pharmaceutical label printing at an affordable cost. For those who are looking to make the switch, consider these benefits. The investment in digital printing equipment is worth considering, if you're aiming to increase efficiency while reducing costs.