Vacuum Retention in Vial-Stopper Systems: A Study on Component Compatibility

Jeff Smythe, Lynn Lundy, and Amy Miller The pharmaceutical industry faces challenges when choosing packaging components for lyophilized products. The European Commission Guide to Good Manufacturing Practice, Annex 1, Section 89 states, “Containers sealed under vacuum should be tested for maintenance of that vacuum after an appropriate, pre-determined period.” Selecting optimal components for the lyophilization [...]

Karhoefer to Present at Freeze Drying Technology Conference

West’s Sascha Karhoefer, Manger, Injectable Container Solutions, Europe, will present at the  2011 PDA Europe Pharmaceutical Freeze Drying Technology Conference in Barcelona, Spain, October 25-28, 2011.  Karhoefer will present “Elastomeric Components and Innovative Plastic Caps for Container Closure Systems for Lyophilization Applications.” The presentation will focus on: •       Lyophilization stoppers and moisture content in lyophilized [...]

Vial Stoppers That Won’t Stop Clumping

West’s Gene Polini, principal technical account specialist, recently contributed to the Troubleshooting column in “Equipment & Processing Report,” a newsletter of Pharmaceutical Technology.  Gene provided a response to a question on how to prevent vial stoppers from clumping in the feeder bowl. “When clumping occurs, manufacturers must first examine the type of stopper they use,” [...]