Overview

The Manufacturing Technology Centre in Liverpool have designed and built an automatic tablet packing line as a demonstration of new technology.

The MTC initiated the project with a set of high-level requirements to solve several challenges in medicine packing:

• packing of patient-specific pack formats containing up to five different tablets in the same blister
• complete automation of line operation and quality checks of all critical process parameters
• systemised data management and integration of the master data and recipe across the required process control system, a manufacturing app platform and Electronic Batch Record (EBR) for the full range of tablets and bespoke manufacturing orders
• high-efficiency in-line setup and clearance that can handle the high complexity of the possible packing formats and lower the risks of cross-contamination
• innovation using Validation 4.0 principles in the process and systems commissioning, qualification and validation to enable rapid and flexible changing of the pack make-up for a defined range of tablet types and dimensions.

Any opinions are the presenter’s own and do not necessarily represent those of IChemE or the Pharma Special Interest Group. The information is given in good faith but without any liability on the part of IChemE.