If you’re reading our website, you are already familiar with our belief that tamper-evident tapes and labels are crucial in detecting unauthorized access to products and product packaging. This issue recently came to the forefront again with the FDA’s warning about using eye drops with poor safety seals.
Tamper-evident packaging is mandatory in the pharmaceutical industry as per the regulations enforced by various regulatory bodies worldwide, such as the US FDA, EU Commission, and World Health Organization (WHO).
It’s not just tampering and safety seals; unauthorized access to pharmaceutical packaging or pallets can lead to contamination or adulteration, resulting in serious health consequences for end-users. Therefore, it’s critical to use tamper-evident technology throughout the supply chain to ensure the same products get from point A to point Z in the same condition.
Although tampering can come from anywhere and doesn’t even have to be nefarious, reports from various law enforcement agencies suggest that organized crime groups are primarily driving pharmaceutical counterfeiting and tampering. It can be a profitable and low-risk criminal activity. The WHO estimates that counterfeit pharmaceuticals make up around 10% of the global pharmaceutical market, which could be higher in some developing countries.
According to a report by the European Commission, organized crime groups involved in pharmaceutical counterfeiting and tampering often operate transnationally, exploiting legal and regulatory loopholes and weaknesses in supply chain security. These groups also use sophisticated methods like fake labeling and packaging to make counterfeit products appear legitimate.
Therefore, it’s critical to use tamper-evident packaging to prevent pharmaceutical counterfeiting and tampering. Tamper-evident tape, labels, and container seals can help detect any unauthorized access to the product packaging or shipping pallets, ensuring that the products that leave your facility are safe and genuine and arrive in the same state.
Regulatory bodies worldwide, such as the US FDA, EU Commission, and WHO, require tamper-evident packaging to protect pharmaceutical products from counterfeiting and tampering.
- United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Regulations: The FDA requires tamper-evident packaging for over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drug products. The tamper-evident feature must be visible and require visible damage to the packaging to be removed.
- European Commission Regulations: The European Commission requires the use of tamper-evident packaging for prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and specific medical devices. The tamper-evident feature must be visible and require visible damage to the packaging to be removed.
- World Health Organization (WHO) Regulations: The WHO requires the use of tamper-evident packaging for pharmaceutical products in all member countries. The tamper-evident feature must be visible and require visible damage to the packaging to be removed.
- International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Regulations: The ISO has developed several standards related to tamper-evident packaging, including ISO 22000 for food safety management and ISO 15378 for the production of primary packaging materials for medicinal products.
These regulations aim to ensure the safety and integrity of pharmaceutical products during transportation and storage and to prevent the distribution of counterfeit and adulterated products in the market.
Is It Any Different for Cannabis?
The cannabis industry is also subject to strict regulations regarding packaging and labeling to ensure the safety and integrity of marijuana products. In the United States, for example, cannabis is still illegal at the federal level, but many states have legalized its use for medical or recreational purposes. Each state has its own set of regulations governing the production, sale, and packaging of cannabis products.
Some states, such as California and Colorado, have rigid packaging and labeling requirements for cannabis products, including child-resistant and tamper-evident packaging. Other states, such as Oregon and Massachusetts, have also implemented regulations around tamper-evident packaging to prevent unauthorized access to cannabis products.
These regulations often require tamper-evident packaging to prevent unauthorized access to cannabis products. This can help to prevent contamination or adulteration of the products and protect the health and safety of consumers.
Furthermore, tamper-evident packaging and labels, as well as container seals and pallet protection, can help prevent the theft of cannabis. According to Security magazine, the legal cannabis market faces diverse threats across its supply chain, necessitating a comprehensive risk management strategy.
Overall, tamper-evident packaging is crucial for ensuring the safety and integrity of cannabis products and protecting consumers in this rapidly growing industry. As the cannabis industry continues to expand and evolve, it will be necessary for companies to stay up-to-date on the latest regulations and best practices for packaging and labeling their products.
Secure Applications’ tamper-evident tapes and labels are designed to detect any tampering or unauthorized access to the product packaging, which can compromise the quality and efficacy of the products. These tamper-evident labels and tapes are mandatory in the pharmaceutical industry as per the regulations enforced by these regulatory bodies.
Tamper-evident packaging, labels, and seals play a vital role in ensuring the safety and integrity of products during transportation and storage. According to various reports, the global market for tamper-evident packaging is growing significantly. The increasing demand for anti-counterfeiting and anti-tampering technologies in the pharmaceutical industry is cited as one of the key factors driving the growth of the tamper-evident packaging market.
Secure Applications’ tamper-evident tapes and labels are used in the pharmaceutical industry and other industries such as food, electronics, and automotive. The need for these products is becoming more prevalent. We are committed to making them accessible and easy for businesses needing simple, reliable security.
Look no further than Secure Applications if you’re looking for tamper-evident tape, labels, or container seals to protect your products and ensure their safety and integrity. Our products are designed to detect any unauthorized access which can compromise the quality and efficacy of your products and shipments.
Whether you’re in the pharmaceutical, food, electronics, automotive, or specialty industry, we have a variety of tamper-evident and environment-management solutions that are accessible and easy to use.
Contact us today for a quote and take the first step toward securing your company’s supply chain.
