Pharmapack – Conference report 02/02/2010 – Patrice Lewko
Rexam introduces NoveliaTM a new multidose preservative free eyedropper

February 2nd, Pharmapack congress Paris, Rexam introduces a new multidose preservative free eyedropper, NoveliaTM.

Patrice Lewko, global marketing director for Rexam Healthcare and lecturer at Pharmapack 2010, explains this new device that presents numerous advantages, not only for patients but for pharmaceutical companies as well.

Preservatives have been linked to side effects and allergic reactions. Their use in chronic treatments should be avoided whenever possible. This is especially true for ophthalmic therapies due to the sensitivity of the eye. However, in order to maintain convenience for patients and thus compliance, it has been a challenge to create ergonomic multidose preservative free devices.

Most multidose eyedroppers contain preservatives. The most well-known is the “BAK”: Benzalkonium chloride. In ophthalmic chronic use this preservative may cause damage to the cornea. [1]
The most widely used preservative free ophthalmic solution is the unidose. This solution is expensive since it requires single use and is not very convenient: small sized unidose are difficult to open especially for elderly people with arthritis. It also requires specific filling equipment for pharmaceutical companies.

Rexam has developed a preservative free multidose eyedropper solution “NoveliaTM”.
The key benefit for patients is that usage is similar to a “classic” multidose eyedropper. This device is able to calibrate droplets, which improves compliance.
For ophthalmic pharmaceutical companies, NoveliaTM offers major advantages:
- it is compatible with existing filling lines,
- it handles a wide range of drug viscosities and
- it is easier to use for patients than unidose.
The key requirement for such a device is the microbiological sterility for treatment duration (28 days). NoveliaTM has been tested and confirmed content sterility and drop non-contamination for 28 days.

This new device is made of an eye dropper standard bottle, a nozzle including a one-way valve ( to prevent contamination inside the bottle and to distribute both liquid solutions and viscous products) and a tamper-evident cap.

In Europe and the USA, senior users who take ophthalmic chronic treatments tested the Rexam NoveliaTM system against existing preservative free devices and rated NoveliaTM as the preferred multidose preservative-free eyedropper.

Protected by 7 patents, the multidose preservative free NoveliaTM eyedropper represents a major innovation in ophthalmic drug delivery device by providing patients a preservative free alternative for chronic treatments in a patient-friendly packaging.

contact :
Julie Coates
Category manager
Julie.coates@rexam.com

Laurence Quesdeville
Communication manager
Laurence.quesdeville@rexam.com

www.rexam.com/healthcare


[1] reference : « Ophthalmic Preservatives : Past, Present and future » Terry Kim, MD Associate Professor of Ophthalmology Duke University School of Medecine Associate Director Cornea and refractive Surgery Services Duke University Eye center


About Rexam

Rexam’s vision is to be the best global consumer packaging company. We are one of the largest beverage can makers in the world, and a major global player in rigid plastic packaging. Rexam's sales from ongoing operations are approximately £4.6 billion. We employ some 22,000 people in more than 20 countries and are a member of the FTSE 100. Rexam’s ordinary shares are listed with the UK Listing Authority and trade on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol REX.

About Rexam Healthcare

Rexam Healthcare provides solutions to protect and deliver pharmaceuticals. Building on our core expertise in plastic injection, injection blow-moulding and high-speed automated assembly, we design, develop and manufacture innovative packaging, including containers and closures, drug delivery devices, metering pumps and valves and medical components, to improve patients' health. Totally focused on healthcare, we also support our customers with regulatory knowledge and Good Manufacturing Practices compliance.

www.rexam.com/healthcare
healthcare.info@rexam.com


Photos credit Rexam
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