Packaging Technology

RICHMOND, VA, March 13, 2013 (Business Wire) -MeadWestvaco Corporation, a global leader in packaging and packaging solutions, today announced that its Avive® multiple-medication patient adherence solution received the Compliance Package of the Year award from the Healthcare Compliance Packaging Council (HCPC). Patient adherence to prescribed medication regimens is a global challenge, and research shows that approximately half of all patients across the globe do not take their medicines as directed.

Avive is a patient-customized solution that simplifies daily dosing for customers on multiple medications. It was developed with input from patients and pharmacists. This ready-to-dispense, script-filling pharmacy service is designed to increase medication adherence, provide convenience for patients and allow more time for pharmacist-customer counseling. An HCPC awards judge noted that Avive “truly brings us to a personalized medication approach.”

The development of Avive is an output of MWV’s long-standing commitment to further awareness of the challenges of medication non-adherence, to understand the underlying causes and to provide solutions to help patients effectively follow their regimens. Studies indicate that medication packaging can play a unique and effective role in patient adherence, reinforcing important information about how to take medications correctly on each and every use. Additional research shows that script synchronization and regimen customization, part of the Avive system, also positively impact patient adherence.

“At MWV, we take a research-based approach to developing medication packaging, performing in-depth consumer research and product development, then building evidence that our solutions provide impact, including enhancing patient adherence,” said MWV’s Tom Grinnan, senior director, Global Patient Adherence. “We strive to revolutionize the way patients interact with the medicine they need to be healthy. In our research, we learned from patients and pharmacists that maintaining adherence while on multiple medications can be overwhelming. Weekly pill organizers don’t solve the issue. Avive simplifies the process and allows pharmacists the time they need to counsel patients, and also provides patients more time to enjoy their lives.”

Developed jointly with LTCPCMS, Inc., MWV’s pharmacy innovation partner, the Avive system synchronizes patients’ medications, so all prescriptions are picked up on the same day each month from a single pharmacy. The system also creates a customized regimen specifically for each person, which consolidates dosing times consistent with Universal Medication Schedules and aligns with patients’ current daily habits for ease of integration. Medication dispensing is completed in a central-fill location through a combination of pharmacist oversight and a highly accurate robotic system. It arrives at the local pharmacy ready to dispense, following a final inspection from the pharmacist.

Each Avive package features a month’s supply of pre-filled medication packets, labeled with medication names and dosing instructions for the medications inside. The Avive system also includes patient education information with the container. Using this system helps the patient incorporate their medication routines into their daily lifestyle, providing convenience and helping reduce medication errors.

Avive is one of five MWV adherence solutions that HCPC has recognized in the last three Compliance Package of the Year Awards. MWV solutions, together with our partners, have won HCPC’s top award three times in the past three years and the second runner up award twice, including this year. This year’s second runner up is the Strattera Physician Sample, packed in MWV’s Dosepak® by AndersonBrecon for Eli Lilly. This is a titration pack that includes a color-coded, calendared dosing format and patient education materials. In further supporting patient compliance, the Strattera design identifies dosing instructions including tips to avoid side effects and identifying optimal daily timing for doses. The pack also directs patients to a supporting website to seek further information and prescription savings. A medication guide is included for the patient in the cover panel of the Dosepak sleeve.

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HEIDENHEIM, Germany, March 11, 2013 (Press Release) -After about two years of operation, Hamburger Hungaria in Dunaujvaros, Hungary, has achieved a very positive balance: so far, the CeraGuide B coatings on the PM 3 show no abrasion at all and are running in a very clean fashion without deposits. In addition, the wire service life was ex-tended from 20-28 days to 42-45 days.

Since 2009, Hamburger Hungaria has coated all wire guide rolls on the PM 3 with CeraGuide B from Voith. Their goals of reducing wear on the rolls and extending the wire service life were thus successfully achieved. The covers previously used had to be reground every three to five months.

The PM 3 produces 180,000 metric tons of liner and fluting annually in a basis weight range of 90 to 175 g/m². The production speed is 980 m/min.

CeraGuide B is a ceramic wear prevention layer that is sealed so as to be dirt-repellent and is used for guide rolls and drive rolls in the wire section. It provides a very high level of abrasion resistance. The grinding intervals were thus noticeably lengthened in comparison to rubber rolls. In addition, the dirt-repellent surface prevents deposits.

Voith Paper is a division of the Voith Group and the leading partner to and pioneer in the paper industry. Through constant innovations, Voith Paper is optimizing the paper manufacturing process, focusing on developing re-source-saving products to reduce the use of energy, water, and fibers.

Voith sets standards in the markets energy, oil & gas, paper, raw materials and transportation & automotive. Founded in 1867, Voith employs almost 42,000 people, generates € 5.7 billion in sales, operates in about 50 coun-tries around the world and is today one of the biggest family-owned com-panies in Europe.