Clariant Promises Creativity without Compromise
- New MEVOPUR® special-effect colors for drug delivery devices
- Supports regulatory compliance with change control and ISO and USP standards
- Decorative design option could help to boost patient adherence to treatment programs
By making drug-delivery devices (e.g. pens, inhalers, and the like) more unique and attractive to patients, manufacturers of these products hope to improve patient adherence to treatment.
Several factors combine to increase the importance of using color creatively in the healthcare market, explains Steve Duckworth, Clariant's Global Head, Healthcare Polymer Solutions. "Diseases such as COPD and diabetes are rapidly increasing," he says, "and self-administered medication, via auto injector or inhaler is becoming the norm. At the same time, U.S. studies indicate only 28% patient-adherence to treatment programs. The cost of wasted medication and follow-on treatment is estimated in the billions of dollars and companies are looking for ways to make their devices more attractive and easier to use, creating standard 'device platforms' that can be customized with color and special effects."
When added to plastics, special effect pigments create a singular impression like pearlescence, sparkle or a metallic look. These materials have been used for many years to enhance the look and market appeal of personal care and consumer goods, where less regulatory documentation is required.
Now, however, Clariant has completed the testing to confirm the ingredients of these new special-effect masterbatches and compounded materials conform to medical and pharmaceutical norms. Like all products supplied under the MEVOPUR brand, they are aligned with USP parts 87 and 88 (Class VI devices) and ISO10993. Manufacturing takes place at three ISO 13485 certified and dedicated production facilities located in USA, Europe and Asia. 'Controlled, Consistent and Compliant' MEVOPUR materials help manufacturers speed new products to market while supporting their regulatory compliance filings.
"If this technology has been used successfully in consumer goods," Duckworth suggests, "why not in medical devices? We believe that, by making pens and other personal medical devices more like consumer products, patients may be more inclined to carry them and use them."
Similar effects have been created using paint and other decorative processes, but these can lack durability, and can severely impact the cost of the plastic component. Special-effect pigments, on the other hand, are compounded into the plastic and cannot chip, scratch or peel off.
