Jones and Thinfilm create smart packaging solution for top pharmaceutical brands

 
OpenSense labels from Thinfilm address product integrity, patient safety in Rx and OTC medication packaging

Canadian-based Jones Packaging has entered into a commercial partnership with Thin Film Electronics from Norway, a global leader in printed electronics and smart systems. Together the companies will integrate Thinfilm’s NFC OpenSense technology into paperboard pharma packaging and establish key manufacturing processes for production on Jones’ high speed lines. Jones and Thinfilm will engage leading global pharmaceutical companies to integrate the smart technology into Rx and over-the-counter product packaging and deliver the solution to the market.

NFC OpenSense tags are thin, flexible labels that can detect both a product’s ‘factory sealed’ and ‘opened’ states and wirelessly communicate contextual content with the tap of an NFC-enabled smartphone. The tags contain unique identifiers that make it possible for pharmaceutical companies to authenticate products and track them to the individual-item level using powerful software and analytics tools. In addition, the tags remain active even after a product’s factory seal has been broken, empowering brands and medical staff to extend the dialogue with consumers and patients. 

“Our strategy of developing printed electronics solutions for the healthcare market led us to this important collaboration with industry pioneer Thinfilm,” states Chris Jones Harris, Principal, Strategic Initiatives and Alliances with Jones. “Thinfilm’s unique printed NFC solution addresses multiple needs within the pharmaceutical channel, particularly around product integrity and patient safety, and allows our customers to connect the world of physical packaging to virtual and dynamic content on the internet – it’s a very unique and compelling proposition.”

Thinfilm’s “Tag Talks First” protocol is a key feature of the NFC OpenSense tag and enables a read-speed that is up to 20 times faster than conventional NFC solutions. This makes it an ideal technology for use within the high-speed, high-volume production lines found in Jones’ manufacturing facilities. The work conducted by Jones and Thinfilm will also include the integration of ferrite shield labels with the NFC OpenSense tags. This will enable the NFC technology to function on metalized packaging, such as blisters commonly used for cold/flu medication. This is perfectly aligned with Jones’ contract packaging capabilities in the area of customized blister packaging solutions for solid dose products including tablets, caplets, capsules and gel caps.

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