Consumables

Stora Enso signs the first Pharma DDS agreements

Thursday 14. August 2008 - Stora Enso has signed the first Pharma DDS packaging solution license agreements in the US and in Europe. Sharp Corporation and Stora Enso will partner in the contract packaging of pharmaceutical products into Pharma DDS cartons.

Simultaneously an agreement has been reached with Cadmus Whitehall Group and with rlc packaging group to produce printed and converted components of Pharma DDS carton.

“These three agreements only eight months after the launch of Pharma DDS in the market demonstrate the great interest in the product. We are especially excited about the cooperation with Sharp Corporation and the possibility to produce Pharma DDS on their new high speed MGS Stealth cartoner,” says Ismo Saarinen, Director, Stora Enso Pharmaceutical Solutions. The Pharma DDS carton is designed to be convenient and discreet to use, yet it has reached the highest F=1 child resistance testing result.

Sharp Corporation has recently finalized the installation of the new MGS Stealth cartoner at its facilities in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. “MGS Stealth is a high speed cartoner that can effectively produce such a specialized product as Pharma DDS. The speed of the line is up to 220 cartons per minute,” says Rick Seibert, Vice President of New Business Development, Sharp Corporation.

Pharma DDS is targeted for both prescription drugs and over-the-counter products and nutraceuticals. Thanks to the effective production technique, competitive cost level can be achieved for both small and high volume drugs. Pharma DDS has several features that support the patient’s compliance with his or her drug prescription. The carton has a unique locking mechanism and it can be produced in a variety of sizes and versions, which makes it suitable for a wide range of unit dose packaging requirements. The F=1 child resistant carton is suited for the packaging of highly toxic drugs but also serves other categories.