Eisai, Crest Solutions Roll Out New Track, Trace Packaging System For Pharma Products

Eisai Machinery and Crest Solutions said that the PharmaMarker system has been developed to meet the new coding and traceability regulations by coding, verifying and tracking up to 450 pharmaceutical cartons per minute, ensuring they can be fully traced along any point in their production lifecycle.

PharmaMarker works by printing cartons with a data matrix code using a non-contact thermal ink jet or laser print head. Cartons are then conveyed past a Cognex high-resolution vision system to precisely verify label data and ensure that only correct cartons pass to the next point in the production line while failed cartons are removed using its automatic reject system.

The system employs Crest Solutions’ LineDirector software to manage all the peripherals on the line and Crest Solutions’ Protrack real-time traceability software is used to accurately record event data for complete compliance with track and trace regulations.

Michael de la Montaigne, president of Eisai Machinery, said: “The PharmaMarker is an easy-to-integrate, easy-to-validate solution for tracking and tracing pharmaceutical products, thus enabling manufacturers to immediately comply with ongoing regulations while also improving patient safety, counteracting fraud and creating a more secure supply chain.”

Frank Madden, CEO of Crest Solutions, said: “Not only is this system capable of handling new track and trace regulations coming into place now but also those expected in the future.”