(Editor's note: Pharmapack is owned by UBM Canon, the parent company of Packaging Digest)

Pharmapack will celebrate its 10th edition at the Grande Halle de la Villette, in Paris (France) on Feb. 23-24, 2011, with a special two-day program of leading experts in the field.

More than 35 experts from pharmaceutical companies, technology suppliers, institutions and health entities will speak about the challenges shaping innovation in healthcare product packaging and delivery systems, including:
• Future trends in pharmaceutical packaging.
• Regulatory changes in drug monitoring around the world.
• Innovations in parenteral administration.
• New packaging solutions to improve compliance, patient and health worker safety, drug monitoring.
• Drug delivery device trends and innovations (nasal and pulmonary forms).

"The advent of and competition from generics is one of the major challenges for the original manufacturers, particularly considering generics manufacturers have improved the clarity of their packaging," says Philippe Arnaud from the Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty of Paris Descartes (France), who will be chairing the session "Pharma packaging prospects and regulatory challenges in a global context."

"In the case of OTC drugs or drugs no longer reimbursed, which are prominently displayed on the counter, the packaging ‘war' will be fierce," Arnaud warns.

In terms of regulations, speakers will discuss important regulatory changes in the offing, particularly draft directives on patient information, drug monitoring and anti-counterfeit measures. According to the experts, these directives will have a direct or indirect impact on drug packaging and may generate costs that should be foreseen and taken into consideration as of now.

"With parenteral drugs in particular, innovation is very important as, according to statistics, they represent approximately a third of future drugs," notes Michael Spallek, director Global Skill Center Packaging Development, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma (Germany). He adds, "This is due to the fact that biotech drugs are growing in importance and offer new therapeutic approaches. This is also the reason why biotech packaging is important. Most of them will be injected, so the packaging and devices will make self-administration easy, even in the case of monthly injections."

Another highlight at Pharmapack 2011 will be the presence of representatives from the FDA, AFSSAPS, MHRA and the notified bodies on the first day. Organized by BIOMEDevice Europe, this session will give decision-makers in pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies an opportunity to collect strategic information for their future projects. These experts, who assess combination products on a daily basis, will take stock of regulations in Europe and the USA. They will share their vision of changes in regulations on the status of these health products and prospects over the years to come. Through their testimonies, they will shed light on the crucial points to be taken into consideration by entities involved in the development of these booming health products.

Pharmapack 2011 attendees will gain a comprehensive view of the latest market trends and new technologies not only through this high-level lecture program, but by viewing the technological showcase exhibition of more than 250 worldclass suppliers of technologies and services specialized in pharmaceutical packaging.

Additionally, the Pharmapack Awards will single out drugs, medical devices, health products and veterinary drugs placed on the French market between November 2009 and December 2010. Deadline for entries is Jan. 1, 2011.

An event with an international audience, Pharmapack 2011 is expected to attract more than 2,800 visitors and 250 exhibitors, more than half of whom will come from 48 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas.

Source: UBM Canon