NFC packaging to safeguard medicines

Thinfilm Jones
HEALTH SERVICE: Thinfilm’s NFC tags are to be integrated into pharma packaging

Patients will soon be able to identify whether pharmaceutical products are in a factory sealed or opened state and access contextual content with the tap of an NFC phone using a solution developed by Thinfilm and Jones Packaging. The technology will also enable pharmaceutical companies to authenticate products and track individual items.

“The two companies are collaborating to integrate Thinfilm’s NFC OpenSense technology into paperboard pharma packaging and establish key manufacturing processes for production on Jones’ high speed lines,” Thinfilm says.

“The work conducted by Jones and Thinfilm will also include the integration of ferrite shield labels with the NFC OpenSense tags. This will enable NFC to function on metalized packaging such as blisters commonly used for cold/flu medication. Jones and Thinfilm are engaging leading global pharmaceutical companies to integrate the smart technology into product packaging and deliver the solution to market.”

Multiple needs

“As part of this initiative, Jones has placed a six-figure unit order for NFC OpenSense tags,” the company adds. “The Jones-Thinfilm smart packaging collaboration will be funded in part by grants from both the Swedish and Canadian governments.”

“Jones’ strategy of developing printed electronics solutions for the healthcare market led us to collaborate with industry leader Thinfilm,” says Chris Jones Harris, principal of strategic initiatives and alliances at Jones Packaging.

“Thinfilm’s unique printed NFC solution addresses multiple needs within the pharmaceutical channel, particularly around product integrity and patient safety and we look forward to a long and successful partnership in this area.”

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