Counterfeit medicines create a serious global problem that affects both patients and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Faller Packaging has taken up this challenge – and the company is developing innovative packaging solutions with the aim of ensuring that counterfeits can be detected quickly and reliably. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around ten percent of medicines sold worldwide are counterfeit – and this leads to an enormous loss of trust in the pharmaceutical industry. To protect patients and brands, companies must equip their products with security features that enable counterfeits to be detected quickly and easily. With the Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD 2011/62/EU), the European Union has already taken measures that prescribe serialisation and a tamper-evident first-opening guarantee. These measures have been mandatory for all medicinal products marketed in the EU since 2019.

The focus on anti-counterfeiting
Faller Packaging is an expert in tamper-proof packaging. With a broad portfolio of anti-counterfeiting technologies, the specialist company for folding cartons, leaflets, labels and combination products implements all the regulatory requirements with its solutions from a single source. Pharmaceutical manufacturers, for example, can use Faller Packaging’s service to print their folding cartons and labels with all the common serialisation codes. This is particularly attractive for small batches where serialisation on the packaging line is not economically viable. 

Serialisation is carried out using a 2D data matrix code that contains all the relevant information, including product code, serial number and expiry date. Yet another key element of counterfeit protection is the tamper-evident seal, which shows if a package has already been opened. Faller also offers solutions with tamper-evident labels, which clearly indicate if a user has tried to open the package.

Packaging with enhanced security features
In addition to the legal requirements, Faller Packaging also uses embossing, punched perforations and microtext – and special materials, security colours and coatings also ensure that each package can be clearly identified, authenticated and traced. 

These visible markings are difficult to copy and are recognisable without additional aids. However, appropriate equipment is required to detect hidden features such as microtext or cryptoglyphs, i.e., features that can’t be seen with the naked eye. Depending on the customer's requirements, confidentiality rules that only allow specific people access to the information can also be addressed – and to reduce the risk even further, customers can use a combination of visible and concealed features.

Labels: Recyclable and tamper-proof
The Faller Packaging range includes a recyclable, tamper-evident paper label. This semi-transparent solution consists of a fibre-based, single material – meaning it is 100% recyclable. The label is also tamper-proof and therefore complies with the EN 16679:2014 standard. Tampering with the packaging can be prevented by positioning the label over the tuck-in flap of the folding carton – so if anyone has tried to open the package, the torn label can be clearly seen. An adhesive, specially developed for pharmaceutical applications, means that the label cannot be removed without leaving a visible residue. This also increases counterfeit protection and is a clear indication of possible tampering. 

Adhesive labels, to which Faller Packaging applies a high-quality security ink using digital printing, are also tamper-proof. The clever thing about invisible ink is that it can only be seen under ultraviolet light. Invisible text, variable data, codes and symbols can be easily integrated – even in combination and all in one single procedure. All common papers and films are possible. The user can apply the label to any location, on round or flat surfaces, by machine or manually and on primary or secondary packaging.

“Our measures are focused on patient safety and the integrity of the pharmaceutical supply chain,” says Product Manager Benjamin Rist. “We want to significantly reduce the dangers of counterfeit medicines and maintain the public’s trust in legal products.”

You’ll find more information on counterfeit protection on our website: https://www2.faller-packaging.com/anti-counterfeiting

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