Originally Published PMPN
December 2003
Product Update
Functional closuresClosures can offer tamper evidence and protect products from contaminants.
Stopper Film
An advanced barrier-film technology is available for pharmaceutical closures. Stoppers with West FluroTec film have barrier properties that significantly reduce leachables, extractables, and particulates resulting from stopper-drug interaction while maintaining seal integrity and reducing the potential for drug contamination. The fluorocarbon film is made from a modified ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) copolymer. The film helps maintain the full strength and shelf life of packaged drugs by reducing absorption and adsorption of the drug product and by providing an effective barrier against organic and inorganic extractables. It can be applied to complex-shaped closures, which are typically required for dry powder and lyophilized applications. West Pharmaceutical Services Inc., Lionville, PA; 800/231-3000;
www.westpharma.com.
Tamper-Evident Closures
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A range of plastic bottles features both tamper-evident and child-resistant closures on the same bottle. According to the company, this two-pronged approach ensures that medicines, tablets, capsules, or powders are not used inappropriately. Customers can choose from a wide range of bottles in a selection of sizes, from 60 to 1000 ml. Options include a wide-mouth child-resistant tablet bottle, with or without a tamper-evident band, and a sloped-shoulder tamper-evident version, with or without a child-resistant closure. All of these designs are available in HDPE. Azlon Packaging, Stone, Staffs, UK; +44 1785 812121; azlon
pack@bibby-sterilin.com.
Snap-On Closures
A company offers a line of dispensing child-resistant, senior-friendly closures. The FTCR19700 is a 20-mm snap-on for tubes that is suitable for ointments and creams. A 24-mm snap-on, the FTCR19100, has a small orifice for
liquids and is suitable for cough syrup and all aqueous products. A 34-mm snap-on, the FTCR19000, is suitable for tablets, and the FTCR19500 is suitable for travel-pack and trial-sized tablets. The entire family of products is lined with a heat induction seal for tamper evidence. They can be opened and closed using one hand. There are no removable parts, and an audible sound confirms that the cap is properly closed. Mac Closures Inc., Waterloo, QC, Canada; 450/539-2772;
www.mac.qc.ca.
Squeeze-Lok
A low-profile closure has been designed specifically for applications in the pharmaceutical and healthcare markets. The child-resistant, senior-friendly closure is a non-torque-dependent, one-piece continuous-thread closure. It has a squeeze-and-turn mechanism featuring a locked position that can be seen, heard, and felt. The closure’s tabs provide visual and audio verification that the cap is latched. An audible snap can be heard as the cap is being turned, and the consumer can feel the tabs drop into place when the cap is being closed. The closure is available in 24-, 28-, 33-, 38-, 45-, and 53-mm sizes. Rexam Closures & Containers, Evansville, IN; 812/867-6671;
www.closures.com.
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