Schreiner MediPharm (schreiner-medipharm.com), a Germany-based global provider of specialty pharmaceutical labeling solutions for over 60 years, has added the option of colored films to its recently introduced label + cap combination anti-counterfeiting solution. The company’s Flexi-Cap features a first-opening indication security solution that prevents the illegal reuse of medicine containers under the guise of being unopened, original products. Now, colored film caps are available to help physicians and nurses easily identify different medicines or varying product potencies.

Schreiner MediPharm will showcase Flexi-Cap, along with several other recently introduced solutions, at InnoPack, part of the CPhI Worldwide, October 13-15 in Madrid.

Flexi-Cap comprises a label combined with a cap – a capping similar to the cover for wine bottles but adapted to the specific requirements of the pharmaceutical industry. The result is a clear and irreversible indication that a primary container has been opened.

Flexi-Cap works as follows: The film cap is positioned over the closed container. Then, the label is applied without covering the peel-open tab of the opening strip. Once the strip is opened, the bottom part of the cap, together with the label, remains attached to the container. Attempting to remove the rest of the cap destroys the label, eliminating the possibility of unnoticed illegal reuse.

Flexi-Cap enables flexible use with different container types, forms and sizes. In contrast to shrink-wrap solutions, the label construction is applied without using heat, making the solution viable for temperature-sensitive medicines. The pharmaceutical manufacturer's label and brand design remain unchanged, due to the combination of label and cap. In addition, the top of the cap allows space for bar code printing or NFC chip integration for electronic tracking.

Flexi-Cap can be easily integrated into existing production processes. By adding extra security features such as holographs, color-shifting inks, void effects or the machine-readable LaserSecure technology, manufacturers can increase even further the hurdles for would-be counterfeiters.

“The newly available colored films provide Flexi-Cap with a secondary benefit – avoiding medication administering errors – to supplement its primary purpose as a customizable, highly effective anti-counterfeiting tactic,” says Gene Dul, president of Schreiner MediPharm U.S. “Flexi-Cap now stands not only as a means of vastly diminishing the potential for illicit market reintroduction, but also reducing chances for medication errors by healthcare professionals.”