Schreiner MediPharm, a Germany-based global provider of functional label solutions for the healthcare industry, has introduced a counterfeit and tampering protection solution that boasts a void effect to make it exceedingly difficult for counterfeiters to successfully reuse original packaging. The company’s tailored Void-Labels make previously covert messages readily visible upon peeling, making a package’s first opening clearly and irreversibly apparent. 

Worldwide counterfeit medicines amount to a roughly $200 billion black market that, each year, is growing by an untenable 20% – twice as fast as the legal medicines market. In addition to obvious health risks, counterfeits and tampering cause substantial economic losses and reputational damage throughout the pharmaceutical industry.

In February 2019, the European Union responded to the growing counterfeit medicines market by issuing the EU Falsified Medicines Directive for pharmaceutical packaging. The global ISO 21976 standard also states how security features can be used on pharmaceutical packaging and how tampering attempts can be verified. In addition, it specifies requirements for protecting the authenticity of pharmaceutical packaging. The tailored Void-Labels from Schreiner MediPharm satisfy all these requirements, the company says.  

By revealing a hidden first opening message once the label is peeled, Schreiner MediPharm’s Void-Labels make it nearly impossible for counterfeiters to successfully reuse original packaging. Suitable not only for cardboard boxes, but also for glass and plastic containers, the solutions are individually tailored: Following extensive tests, Schreiner MediPharm adapts the closure seals specifically to the relevant packaging, material, substrate and application. Seals also can be custom-designed, offering film material choices in various colors, as well as white and transparent.

Depending on the intended goal, various void effects can be accomplished, including: 

•     No Transfer: Peeling off the label leaves no residues on the pharmaceutical packaging. The void effect becomes visible only in the label after it has been opened for the first time. Reclosure of the label with the visible void effect is possible.
•     Semi Transfer: Peeling off the label leaves partial residues on the pharmaceutical packaging. After first opening, the void effect is visible both in the label and on the packaging. Reclosure of the label with the visible void effect is possible.
•     Full Transfer: Peeling off the Void-Label leaves a complete coating layer on the packaging. Consequently, the void effect is visible on the pharmaceutical packaging and in the label after first opening, but reclosure of the label is not possible.

In addition, a convenient tab can be integrated for particularly easy handling by final users. Due to the addition of overt or covert authentication features, the Void-Labels can also provide proof of authenticity. Schreiner MediPharm ensures optimal and reliable performance of the seal that is adapted precisely to the respective packaging and specific threat scenario.