World leading Biopharmaceutical Company Pfizer Selects Sepha’s Visionscan as its global Packaging Inspection Standard for Blister Packs
Belfast, Northern Ireland (PRWEB) May 02, 2014 -- An endorsement by Pfizer has been given for the blister packaging inspection device, Visionscan, made by Sepha Ltd, following several months of trials. The trials demonstrated that Visionscan eliminates some of the known disadvantages of the blue dye test whilst increasing limit-of-detection capabilities in terms of pinhole size. Scientists in Pfizer's Process Analytical Technologies (PAT) team validated Visionscan's test cycle which is capable of non-destructively assessing blister integrity for multiple sizes, shapes, cavity configurations and materials of construction. The test is relatively fast (about 1 minute per test cycle), empirical, and provides pass / fail results eliminating any need for human-visual analysis of samples and associated subjectivity.
The Pfizer team tested a statistically significant number of packs during the trial period, across multiple product materials and from production sites across the globe. They used Visionscan to apply cycles of both positive pressure and vacuum to blisters, while a high resolution camera captured images of the blisters at the different pressure / vacuum stages. They then utilized the bespoke image analysis algorithms to compare the images and identify subtle deformations in each blister pocket. The results highlight the objective differences in good and bad blister pockets during Pfizer’s non-destructive inspection process with Visionscan.
Commenting on the return on investment for Pfizer with Visionscan in the European Pharmaceutical Review publication, Pfizer's PAT team stated that, "Considering some of the financial statistics, these systems can achieve favourable and appealing numbers, especially if matched for use with blister products exhibiting relatively high volume and / or high manufacturing costs per unit."
Pfizer also found Visionscan relatively simple to install as well as operate, with low complexity of system hardware. With cost reduction and economic pressures continuing to play a key role in the pharma industry, the team concluded that technology with a purpose (such as Visionscan) can help improve quality, reduce rejected product, lower manufacturing costs and can help create a competitive advantage.
Commenting on this significant endorsement of Visionscan by one of the world's premier, innovative biopharmaceutical companies, Paul Kelly, Head of Sales and Marketing Sepha Ltd said, "Pfizer's independent validation of Visionscan as their preferred inspection method of blister packs justifies the investment Sepha has made in developing and bringing to market this innovative blister pack inspection technology. It also reflects the change we expect to continue to see in the global blister inspection market as it moves away from out-dated, destructive inspection methods such as blue dye. Pfizer, along with a number of other global pharmaceutical multinationals are already making that move. We believe Visionscan will become the best practice global non-destructive test method for blister packs over the coming years.”
Visionscan is distributed globally by Sepha through a number of international agents. In 2013, Sepha was purchased by the USA company, TASI, which is a world class manufacturer of leak test and measurement equipment. In recent years, Sepha has been recognized for its international marketing and exporting achievements with a number of awards including 'NI Exporter of the Year'.
Michele Filippi, MF Communication, +44 2890769428, [email protected]
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