Full transparency right from the beginning
Container-level traceability from production to point-of-care (PoC)
The Gerresheimer traceability concept ensures complete transparency throughout the value chain and greater safety for the patient — because only complete traceability is true traceability. As the first link in the manufacturing chain, we apply unique codes to our primary packaging and medical devices. Thanks to our digital infrastructure for traceability, we and all downstream parties can link, analyze and share any data with the individual product unit. Our codes are the key to connecting previously separate worlds in the value chain. They mark the start of a new era of interconnectedness that promises complete transparency and security for our customers and patients.
Benefits of traceability
Our vision promises transparency and traceability across the entire supply chain, from primary packaging to secondary packaging, and from drug filling and serialization up to the final application at the PoC. You will benefit in particular from the following advantages:
Increase patient safety
Clearly marked primary packaging helps minimize the risk of costly and dangerous mix-ups when filling medicines. This factor is becoming increasingly important due to smaller batch sizes in personalized medicine.
Eliminate sources of error
Problems that need to be investigated during production or filling and finishing are common. The ability to trace back certain machinery events or previously reported issues speeds up root cause analysis and reduces the number of blocked products due to ongoing investigations.
Increase efficiency
Smaller batch sizes are also making work processes more complex and flexible. Line changes can be simplified and accelerated if the batch affiliation, filling status or other product information can be traced for each individual product thanks to coding.
Limit damage in case of recalls
In the event of a drug recall, the link between the unique code of the primary packaging and the serialized medicine makes it possible to draw quick and precise conclusion about the affected product units.
Fight counterfeiting
A unique code on the primary packaging that cannot be removed, along with the corresponding digital identity, is another important step on the way to a counterfeit-proof product.
Enable patient and end-customer interaction
Unique codes or NFC technology enable a variety of use cases in marketing, customer profiling, or patient safety, allowing end customers and patients to communicate directly with the product via smartphone.
Support circular economy
The trend toward reusable packaging materials goes beyond the cosmetics industry. Clearly identifiable products and their digital tracing enable the continuous tracking of products in the market.
Compliance
By means of direct marking packaging can help improve product and process quality and its documentation, making it possible to address the increasingly stringent regulatory requirements.
Advantages of the Gerresheimer marking technology
We apply unique data matrix codes to our primary packaging and medical devices. Since our first test series were very promising, we started investing in our own equipment to digitally print our portfolio of tubular glass products.
In a second step, we will invest in applying data matrix codes to our wide variety of plastic products.
Highly resistant and stable against
All pharmaceutical manufacturing operations
High- and low-temperature applications
Chemical agents
Removal attempts (counterfeiting)
High contrast and robust readability
For high-speed fill and finish operations
No special lighting required
Conventional barcode readers
Smartphone ready
Wide range of product applications
Suitable for glass syringes, vials, cartridges and ampoules
Available as bulk and ready-to-fill
Flexible placement on bottom or body
Customized printing options
Special designs available (i.e. logo or brands)
Code and special designs in one manufacturing step
No influence on container integrity
