Sud-Chemie Package Wins Pharma Pack Award for Bristol-Myers Squibb

Solving multiple patient and product issues with one package is the hallmark of good package design, and this principle is what earned Bristol-Myers Squibb the 2009 Safe-Use Product Award at the Pharmapack 2009 meeting in Europe (Jan 21-22, Paris). BMS worked with its packaging partner, Sud-Chemie (Munich; US HQ in Louisville, KY), to develop the Handy-Active Tube (HAT-Snap), used with BMS’ effervescent analgesic, Efferalgan.

The patented HAT-Snap design incorporates a flip-top cap that can be opened with one hand—a desirable feature for a product often used by patients suffering from arthritis. The closure includes a breakaway tamper-evident ring, as well as an integrated desiccant component to maintain product integrity. The tube is rigid polypropylene, while the cap is polyethylene.

At the same time, the package has been readily incorporated into BMS’ packaging line, where (after some redesign) it is filling at a rate of 150 tubes/min. The integrated desiccant component and simply hinging mechanism provide cost economies while maintaining high levels of product protection, according to the companies.

“Süd-Chemie’s experts were involved in the process at an early stage and together we develop the best possible packaging,” says Edmond Krol, BMS purchasing manager. “This is often a crucial factor for subsequent success in the marketplace.” PC