Bio-Health as a business was firmly behind the 2011 introduction of stringent government legislation introduced for traditional herbal remedies (THRs). “It was most definitely in our interest,” said Vic Perfitt, Managing Director of Bio-Health. “The market was being dragged down with too many cowboys coming into the sector. They were using cheap ingredients to undercut our prices, but providing products that did not live up to customers’ expectations. It gave the whole herbal medicines industry a bad name. We fought hard to get the government to introduce legislation into the sector. Products now have to be licensed.”
Part of the process means inspections for all key suppliers to the company. “In the same way as standard pharmaceutical product suppliers, we have to audit our major suppliers, such as Medica Packaging, and write a report detailing how they adhere to the correct procedures in their business. I am delighted to say that Medica passed all of the tests for good pharmaceutical manufacturing practice. They are able to tick all of the right boxes as far as quality control procedures and quality assurance is concerned.”
Because Medica Packaging is able to produce cartons, leaflets and labels from one production facility, customers such as Bio-Health only need to conduct one site audit for all three packaging elements. “We also incorporate a colour ID system for our products. These distinctive colours are used on the box, the PIL, and the label. The aim is to make it simple for our end user to recognise the right information leaflet for the right product,” added Vic Perfitt. “Because all three elements are printed by one company they are able to ensure with 100% accuracy that the correct Pantone colour is used – even though the printing processes for each element of the packaging are different.”
As per regular pharmaceutical products(aluminum crutches price), Braille information has to be included on the carton, but Bio-Health has gone one step further by adding Braille to the printed label. “In our opinion it is likely that this will become a legal requirement in the near future, but it just makes sense anyway. Blind and partially sighted customers need this information – why would we not want to include it?” said Vic Perfitt.
Commenting on behalf of Medica Packaging, Mark Bradley, Sales Director, said: “Bio-Health are at the forefront of the traditional herbal remedies market. It is a pleasure to work with such a professional company in this fast-growing market. Medica Packaging is at hand to guide THR suppliers through the new packaging legislation so they too can enjoy a share of this emerging sector. The legislation that Bio-Health was very keen to see introduced ensures that both product and packaging has to be of the highest quality.”