IMC's Smart Blister Packs are Key Tool in Adherence Packaging
1 week ago
Company earns CPES2017 Product Innovation Award for Med-ic Syringe Pack.
Information Mediary Corp.'s Med-ic Smart Blister Pack
When pharmaceutical companies develop a new medication, they rely on clinical trials to see if the medication works. However, it is critical to know whether a patient is actually using the medication.
Information Mediary Corp. (IMC) , Ottawa, ON, has developed technology that allows all of the stakeholders to monitor the usage of these medications. With more than a million units sold to date and new products on the way, including IMC's Med-ic smart blister packs and syringe packs, IMC is poised to help improve the health of patients.
IMC's beginnings date back to Interphex in 2002, when the company announced that it would specialize in adherence packaging, The first products were released later that year, and IMC has been working on developing its systems since then. IMC uses hybrid systems, combining printed electronics, RFID and traditional electronics for its Med-ic smart blister packs and other systems.
"Our smart packaging is designed for pharmaceuticals, with an emphasis on clinical trials, which offer a highest rate of return for end customers," IMC COO Michael Petersen said. "Sometimes the researcher can't be sure if a drug isn't working because of lacking efficacy or because patients haven't been taking it as directed. The pharmaceutical companies are interested in reducing the size of the trials, and this allows them to bring their products to market faster and get more accurate data.
"We are really trying to objectively observe adherence, and then have the healthcare provider, the clinical staff at the trial site, the doctor or pharmacist read the device and have a look at their adherence profile from the past week, month or three months and coach the patient about it," Petersen added.
Smart packaging is a combination of branding and functionality, and Petersen said that blister packs have the ability to combine both of these needs.
"With blister medication packages, you have a lot of real estate to work with in terms of the graphics and for us to hide the electronics," he noted. "With medication packaging, the more sophisticated packaging surrounds the blister with cardboard, which is very suitable for printed electronics to detect each dose being taken from each package, as well as hiding traditional electronics in the structure. However, on our smart bottle caps, we have no opportunity to use printed electronics."
The adaptation of near field communication (NFC) has been a key to IMC's technology.
"We have been using NFC since the beginning," said Petersen. "Fifteen years ago, there was no standard that allowed you to read it on someone's laptop, but now we scan it on Android smartphones. The move to NFC was natural for us. On the other hand, we do get some requests for Bluetooth, but Bluetooth is battery intensive, and requires that patients connect the device and make sure it is live. It leads to a lot of technology hassles for the patient. We don't want to interfere with what the patient normally does."
Information Mediary Corp. recently received the CPES2017 Product Innovation Award for its Med-ic Syringe Pack, which uses NFC to connect a temperature monitored smart package with printed electronic traces. It records real-time information for each syringe. Petersen said that developing the syringe pack, which holds two syringes, was requested by a customer.
"The syringe blister pack was made as a prototype for a major pharmaceutical company, which really liked it," he noted. "The syringe pack is a takeoff of our smart medication blister pack. We added state-of-the-art temperature monitoring on the same package so you can report on storage conditions, which is quite important for biological medications. We also incorporated some feedback where the patient can push a button to indicate their condition."
In November 2016, HealthPrize Technologies published an update to a research paper co-authored with Capgemini that estimated annual pharmaceutical revenue losses of $637 billion due to non-adherence to medications for the treatment of chronic conditions. With these numbers, Petersen said that interest in these technologies is growing.
"Pharmaceutical researchers, brand people and public health people know compliance is important," he observed. "The financial community and the market value this technology highly. We're seeing increasing acceptance, but the pharmaceutical business is very slow moving and no one wants to take a risk. We have been de-risked, and have sold more than a million pieces already.:
Petersen added that one important facet is understanding that these adherence systems are hybrid in nature.
"The recognition that PE is part of product design and the electronics ecosystem is a good one as long as everyone realizes that not everything will be printed," Petersen said. "We are not going to be printing chips soon, and not ever replace all the silicon that is out there. Printed electronics are being used in a sensible way, to augment or innovate existing solutions, invent new solutions with new form factors and really add to the spice of life.
"Smart blister medication packs would not be possible with traditional electronics," he continued. "You're not going to put an FR4 board on the back of a blister pack. I don't believe in printing everything, and there are limits. You have to be sensible in what you pick to print.
"We have RFID sensor tags that connect to printed traces, and we can easily print out electronic traces that can easily detect each dose removal, and we can adapt this printed circuitry depending on the design of the package and its form factor," Petersen concluded. "That is the classic example of a hybrid printable electronics application that works really well. Really, printable electronics if used correctly will give you more flexibility, simplicity, faster turnaround, and allows you to economize on customization of the application. You get the best of both worlds."
Major brands, leading innovators highlight applications for printed electronics, in-mold electronics and more.
Smart Blister Packs and Smart Kit Boxes link medicine packaging with matching software for enhanced trial participant monitoring capabilities.
There are numerous benefits that smart packaging brings to consumers and brand owners.
Over 42,000 users visited last year Extend your business reach and be found by customers and prospects
Best opportunities are in healthcare, luxury items like liquor and cosmetics.
Recognizing Canadian excellence in printable and flexible electronics.
#J-18808-Ljbffr-
Emballage / Packaging
1 week ago
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Printed Electronics Now Full timeCompany earns CPES2017 Product Innovation Award for Med-ic Syringe Pack. When pharmaceutical companies develop a new medication, they rely on clinical trials to see if the medication works. IMC) , Ottawa, ON, has developed technology that allows all of the stakeholders to monitor the usage of these medications. With more than a million units sold to date...
-
Registered Pharmacy Technician
1 week ago
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Loblaw Companies Limited Full timeWhat you'll do: Conduct product verification on all compliance packs prepared to ensure accuracy and completeness of all prescription orders prior to delivery Operate and maintain the Vandenbrink Blister Packaging Machine (VBM) used to generate and produce weekly compliance packs for SDM stores Verify compliance packs using the Vandenbrink Blister...
-
Marketing and Communications Manager
1 week ago
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Smart & Biggar Full timeWhat We Do.Smart & Biggar is Canada's largest firm practicing exclusively in intellectual property (IP) and technology law, with offices in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary. We have been leaders in intellectual property and technology law for over 125 years. We are regularly recognized as Canada's top IP and technology firm.We are part of the...
-
Mdsap Technical Pack Reviewer
1 week ago
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada SGS Full timeCompany DescriptionWe are SGS - the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 98,000employees operate a network of 2,650 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.Job Description:Main Purpose...
-
Head of Business Development
1 week ago
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Smart & Biggar Full timeWhat We Do.Smart & Biggar is Canada's largest firm practicing exclusively in intellectual property (IP) and technology law, with offices in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary. We have been leaders in intellectual property and technology law for over 125 years. We are regularly recognized as Canada's top IP and technology firm.We are part of the...
-
IT Support Specialist
1 week ago
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Smart & Biggar Full timeWhat We Do.Smart & Biggar has been at the forefront of intellectual property (IP) and technology law for over 100 years. We practice in every area of IP on behalf of an exceptional international clientele, and we are consistently ranked as Canada's leading IP firm. We are committed to hiring people with different backgrounds and experience, who represent the...
-
Smart Grid Engineer
1 week ago
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Hydro Ottawa Full timePlease Note: If you are a current Hydro Ottawa employee with access to Workday, apply to this job via the Workday application.By generating and distributing power, each person at Hydro Ottawa is part of empowering the lives of people in the communities we serve. Our work means all the activities that make up our lives – at home, at work, at play – are...
-
OPEN: Smart Grid Engineer
1 week ago
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Rodan Energy Solutions Full timeEmployment Type: Full-Time, Permanent Location: Ottawa, ON (Hybrid, to be discussed based on the position requirements) Client: Utility client Hours: 40 hours per week # of Vacancies: 4 Job Level: Junior – Senior Benefits: Comprehensive Benefits and Pension package to be discussed. The selected candidates are required to complete a...
-
Registered Pharmacy Technician
1 week ago
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Rideau Pharmacy Full timeDescription of position:Assists Pharmacist to fill and dispense prescriptions for patients. Entering prescriptions, Therapeutic check of refill prescriptions, Answering patients phone orders, retrieves prescriptions, checking blister packs.Updates patient records and inventory, processes invoices, and Dispenses prescription medications utilizing pharmacy...
-
Key Holder
1 week ago
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Groupe Dynamite Inc. Full timeSeize the opportunity to join a global fashion retailer with two brands at the heart of its success, Garage and Dynamite, selected as one of _Montreal's Top Employers 2020_ and as one of _Canada's Top employers for Young people 2020_ Be part of our team We are currently looking for a Key Holder.The Key Holder reports to the Store Manager and supports the...
-
Live Chat Assistant
1 week ago
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Pack-Smart Inc. Full timePack-Smart Inc. is an innovative, performance-driven North American company that designs, engineers and manufactures high-performance, fully-automated, modular solutions for industrial and digital automation, printing, converting, personalization and packaging.Are you passionate about providing excellent customer service? Do you have experience in live chat...
-
Patent Agent or Lawyer
1 week ago
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Smart & Biggar Full timeWhat We Do.We are part of the IPH Group. IPH Limited is the holding company for intellectual property and associated companies offering a wide range of IP services and products. IPH companies employ a highly skilled multidisciplinary team of over 1,200 people in Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and...
-
Administrative Coordinator
1 week ago
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Smart & Biggar Full timeSmart & Biggar has been at the forefront of intellectual property (IP) and technology law for over 100 years. We practice in every area of IP on behalf of an exceptional international clientele, and we are consistently ranked as Canada's leading IP firm. We are committed to hiring people with different backgrounds and experience, who represent the best...
-
Wine Merchant Key Holder
1 week ago
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Magnotta Winery Full timeLocation: OttawaAs a full time Key Holder you will play a vital role in providing an exceptional customer experience. Engaging the customer from the moment they enter the store to their lasting impressions.We offer excellent benefits, paid time off and competitive pay.Responsibilities: You will assist in product selection and provide knowledgeable...
-
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Bytown Catering Full timeBytown Catering is currently looking for dynamic individuals to join our team.Shuttle transportation provided for our valued staff to Bytown Catering main shop from various transit stations if requiredRequirements: Have knowledge of how to work on a POS system/previous cash experience Ensure the cleanliness and maintenance of all work areas and equipment...
-
Instrument and Tool Maker
3 days ago
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada National Research Council Canada Full timePriority may be given to the following designated employment equity groups: women, Indigenous peoples* (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities and racialized persons*. The Employment Equity Act, which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities. Candidates are asked to self-declare when applying to...
-
Key Holder
2 months ago
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada MAC Cosmetics Full timePosition Summary We are looking for a dynamic and inspirational Key Holder to support the Store Manager and Assistant Manager to ensure the smooth efficient running of the Store. You will use your outstanding coaching and mentoring skills to lead by example, modelling the behaviors that the sales team need to demonstrate in order to provide inspirational,...
-
Key Holder
4 weeks ago
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada MAC Cosmetics Full timePosition Summary We are looking for a dynamic and inspirational Key Holder to support the Store Manager and Assistant Manager to ensure the smooth efficient running of the Store. You will use your outstanding coaching and mentoring skills to lead by example, modelling the behaviors that the sales team need to demonstrate in order to provide inspirational,...
-
Manager, Applications Delivery and Support
1 week ago
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Smart & Biggar Full timeWhat We Do.Smart & Biggar has been at the forefront of intellectual property (IP) and technology law for over 100 years. We practice in every area of IP on behalf of an exceptional international clientele, and we are consistently ranked as Canada's leading IP firm. We are committed to hiring people with different backgrounds and experience, who represent the...
-
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada TOERSA SECURITY INC Full timeSalary:$18.00-$19.00 per hour for Smart Serve Certified Security GuardsJob Types:Full-time, Part-time, Casual, PermanentInterested in joining the exciting field of Special Event Security?TOERSA Security Inc. is looking to add more Special Event Security Guards to our growing team Join TOERSA Security Inc. todayOverview:TOERSA Security Inc. is proud to be the...
