Walt Berghahn

HCPC Column

Congress Sets Sights on Puerto Rico for Pharma Supply Stream

November 3, 2020

The same government that destroyed Puerto Rico’s economy and the domestic pharmaceutical industry by repealing Section 936 in 2006 is now going to tell you what heroes they are by reviving that industry. It might be easier said than done.

HCPC Column

Moments of Reflection

Walt Berghahn

July 13, 2020

We all reach moments of reflection. An incident or series of events that makes you take a breath, step back and evaluate what has gone by and what might be to come. As a nation, we’ve had too many of these moments in the last few months.

HCPC Column

HCPC Celebrates 30 Years of Improving Pharma Packaging

Walt Berghahn

March 18, 2020

In 2020 the Healthcare Compliance Packaging Council celebrates its 30th anniversary. In that time, HCPC has witnessed dramatic changes in the pharmaceutical market, and our mission has evolved to meet the changing landscape of the healthcare industry.

HCPC Column

Child-Resistance and Opioid Packaging

Walt Berghahn

December 18, 2019

While we wait for the FDA to compile and review the responses to its request for comments on Fixed Quantity Unit of Use Blisters Packaging, Docket No. FDA-2019-N-1845 in response to the SUPPORT Act of 2018, we want to take the safer packaging of opioids conversation a bit further.

HCPC Column

Packaging Opioids in Smaller Dose Blisters Can Help Young Victims

Walt Berghahn

September 11, 2019

Blister Packaging for Certain Immediate Release Opioid Analgesics for Treatment of Acute Pain – Docket No. FDA-2019-N-1845 as it relates to opioid packaging, and recently passed Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients (SUPPORT) Act, passed in late 2018.

HCPC Column

Dr. Scott Gottlieb's Departure from FDA

Walt Berghahn

May 16, 2019

At this point in 2019 it is impossible not to give some well-deserved attention to the departure of Dr. Scott Gottlieb from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Anyone associated with pharmaceuticals or packaging was surprised at the announcement.

HCPC Column

Unit Dose Packaging Gains Support

Unit Dose Packaging Gains Support Yet Leaves Package Open to Interpretation

Walt Berghahn

January 14, 2019

Anyone associated with pharmaceuticals and packaging is likely aware President Trump signed the SUPPORT Act recently. The Substance Use–Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act, also known as SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, includes a specific address to the type of packaging that should be utilized to stem the tide on opioid addiction.

HCPC Column

Marijuana Packaging: Beyond the Bag

Walt Berghahn

November 9, 2018

From a packaging perspective, the legalization of marijuana — or more appropriately, taking it from prescription-only use to recreational — isn’t unusually complicated. Protect the product from moisture and oxygen. What about light? I’m not sure, but I guess there are those who will know.

HCPC Column

The Road from PDMA to DSCSA in Pharmaceutical Packaging

Walt Berghahn

July 18, 2018

The year was 1987. When then-President Ronald Reagan signed the Prescription Drug Marketing Act, the first passed legislation including the concept of pedigree for pharmaceuticals. It was also the precursor to the 2013 Drug Supply Chain Security Act signed by President Obama.

HCPC Column

FDA Favors Blister Packs In Battle Against Opioids

Benefits of unit-dose blister packaging include safeguarding medication efficacy, improved supply chain security and aiding medication adherence.

Walt Berghahn

March 15, 2018

In its most recent article, the HCPC reviewed how the FDA was looking at a variety of alternatives to stem the opioid epidemic. The HCPC has been involved in this effort by promoting the wide-ranging benefits of unit-dose blister packaging.