10.20.17
The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) has begun the first phase of its Medicines Smart Packaging project. This phase of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) funded project, known as SmartMed, will begin the process of crystallizing the needs for innovation in the smart packaging of medicines and medical devices leading to the creation of an innovation capability.
Using smart packaging would benefit organizations such as distribution companies, who could track and monitor medicines throughout the supply chain, as well as pharmaceutical companies, who could use sensors to monitor environmental conditions during storage and delivery including temperature, humidity and damage, to ensure that medicines are effective when they reach the patient.
Smart packaging for medicines could feature printed sensors that can also be used to help with patient compliance. This is a major issue for healthcare, because patients that do not take their medicines as prescribed not only risk their health, but also contribute to significant economic losses for healthcare providers such as the NHS in the UK.
“From manufacture to clinical supply to patients, digital technologies and new types of material have the potential to revolutionize the way in medicines are packaged and therapies of all kinds are delivered. Innovation in this area can help to improve both the effectiveness and experience of treatments for patients,” said Richard Baker, head of policy and strategy at the North East LEP.
“The North East has established strengths in technologies like printable electronics, product formulation and digital application which, if brought together, could make a step change in medicines delivery and also develop approaches of value to other industries such as food and consumer products,” Baker added.
Using smart packaging would benefit organizations such as distribution companies, who could track and monitor medicines throughout the supply chain, as well as pharmaceutical companies, who could use sensors to monitor environmental conditions during storage and delivery including temperature, humidity and damage, to ensure that medicines are effective when they reach the patient.
Smart packaging for medicines could feature printed sensors that can also be used to help with patient compliance. This is a major issue for healthcare, because patients that do not take their medicines as prescribed not only risk their health, but also contribute to significant economic losses for healthcare providers such as the NHS in the UK.
“From manufacture to clinical supply to patients, digital technologies and new types of material have the potential to revolutionize the way in medicines are packaged and therapies of all kinds are delivered. Innovation in this area can help to improve both the effectiveness and experience of treatments for patients,” said Richard Baker, head of policy and strategy at the North East LEP.
“The North East has established strengths in technologies like printable electronics, product formulation and digital application which, if brought together, could make a step change in medicines delivery and also develop approaches of value to other industries such as food and consumer products,” Baker added.