State-of-the-art NFC technology has a lot to offer in smart packaging applications, it can be used for tamper evidence, secure
authentication, end-to-end traceability, and easy re-ordering. In the case of pharmaceutical products it can also connect the patient to, not only easy-to-read instructions, but also video/audio guides, help lines, social media support groups and even to their doctor or clinician. Previously, this functionality was restricted to high-value (or high-risk) products due to the cost of traditional NFC inlays and their Integrated Circuits (ICs or “chips”). Now, thanks to the joint effort of Schreiner MediPharm, PragmatIC, and Avery Dennison, these options can be embedded in cost-sensitive, everyday healthcare and pharmaceutical products. For further information see the IDTechEx report on
Smart and Intelligent Packaging 2020-2030.
New NFC smart packaging solutions leverage low-cost, flexible and robust ICs
At the core of these new cost-effective smart solutions are Avery Dennison’s NFC inlays, which include NFC ICs from the ConnectIC® range of products manufactured by PragmatIC, a UK-based world leader in ultra-low-cost electronics. As these flexible ICs (“FlexICs”) are thinner than a human hair and robust, they are suitable for small diameter objects and provide the ideal solution for adding a unique identity to cost-sensitive products, for example small syringes, or vials.
Avery Dennison’s inlays with ConnectIC chips have been adopted by Schreiner MediPharm to extend its portfolio. The supplier based near Munich, Germany, develops and produces innovative specialty labels and self-adhesive marking solutions with value-added benefits for the pharmaceutical and medical device industry.
“For Schreiner MediPharm, solving customer- and application-specific problems is of particular importance. The partnership with Avery Dennison and PragmatIC enables unmet needs to be served in order to support users and to avoid medication errors for a much wider range of products. Thus, we can contribute to enhanced product safety and support patient centricity at a much larger scale,” said Stefan Wiedemann, Senior Director Strategic Marketing and Business Development at Schreiner MediPharm.
“This partnership illustrates how our ground-breaking ConnectIC product line is set to accelerate the deployment of RFID-based digital solutions in the healthcare sector,” commented Scott White, CEO of PragmatIC.
“We are really pleased to see adoption of our technology by leading global suppliers like Schreiner MediPharm and Avery Dennison and look forward to working closely with both of them to improve patient outcomes around the world.”
Enhancing patient safety and experiences
“We have always believed that integrating RFID into pharmaceutical products helps improve patient safety by enabling more accurate tracking and authentication of medication through the entire supply chain, with the goal of reducing error rates to nearly zero. With our new low-cost inlays based on ConnectIC FlexICs and our partnership with PragmatIC and Schreiner MediPharm, we help to enhance patient safety and experiences through novel smart packaging applications” said Francisco Melo, Vice President and General Manager, Avery Dennison Intelligent Labels.
Avery Dennison’s special low-cost NFC inlays and Schreiner MediPharm’s labelling solution are expected to be available in the first quarter of 2021.
About PragmatIC Semiconductor
PragmatIC Semiconductor is a world leader in ultra-low-cost flexible electronics. The company’s unique technology platform enables innovators to create novel solutions to everyday problems that are beyond the scope of conventional electronics. PragmatIC’s ConnectIC® family of flexible integrated circuits (FlexICs) are thinner than a human hair and extend proven applications such as RFID and NFC into mass-market use cases, enabling the potential for trillions of smart objects that can engage with consumers and their environments.
www.pragmaticsemi.com 
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About Schreiner MediPharm
Schreiner MediPharm, a business unit of Schreiner Group GmbH & Co. KG based in Oberschleissheim near Munich, is a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative, multifunctional specialty labels and marking solutions with value-added benefits for the healthcare industry. Thanks to its strong solutions expertise and specialized know-how Schreiner MediPharm is a highly capable development partner and reliable quality supplier to leading pharmaceutical and medical device technology companies worldwide.
www.schreiner-medipharm.com
About Avery Dennison
Avery Dennison (NTSE: AVY) is a global materials science company, specializing in the design and production of a wide variety of labelling and functional materials. The company’s products are used by most industries and include self-adhesive, pressure-sensitive materials for labelling and visual communication applications; tapes and other solutions for industrial, medical and retail applications; clothing labels, tags and props; in addition to radio
frequency identification (RFID) solutions for the fashion market and others. Headquartered in Glendale, California, the company employs approximately 30,000 employees in more than 50 countries. Reported sales in 2019 were $ 7.1 billion. Learn more at
www.averydennison.com
Source: Wildfire PR
