Pharmaceutical contract packaging
Why do pharma companies choose Ecobliss for contract packaging?
One partner, one point of contact
Complete supply chain management
Suitable solutions for specialized medicines
How we work with your team
Trusted partnership for your packaging needs
Seamless collaboration and clear communication
How does a contract packaging project run?
Every project follows the same route, with a dedicated team from start to finish.
1 Brief and fit check
2 Designed and prototyped in Echt
3 Components arranged
4 Packed in one of our GMP packaging rooms
5 Stored and shipped from Echt
- Brief and fit check. You share the product, dosage form, target markets and expected volumes, and we advise which formats fit: primary, secondary or both.
- Design and prototype. Our in-house design team builds manufacturability into the concept and typically delivers a first physical prototype within five to ten working days.
- Components. We arrange the packaging components, so specifications and changes stay with one supplier.
- Packing. Primary packing (blister forming, filling and lidding seal) and secondary packing (wallets, cartons, kits and child-resistant packs), manual or automated, with FMD-compliant serialisation.
- Storage and supply. GDP-compliant warehouses on site, with controlled substances in a secure vault, from small clinical batches to commercial runs.
How long does it take? A first physical prototype typically takes five to ten working days. Printed components such as cartons, labels and leaflets usually need a few weeks after artwork approval, and a first commercial batch also needs tooling, serialisation master data and release, so plan in weeks rather than days. Repeat batches with unchanged artwork and components move faster. We confirm the dates for your project in the quote.
What is the difference between primary and secondary contract packaging?
Primary contract packaging puts the medicine into its first pack: blister forming, filling and lidding seal. Secondary contract packaging is everything around that pack: wallets, cartons, kits, child-resistant packs and serialisation. Ecobliss provides both as one service, so the blister and the wallet around it are planned as one pack; the secondary packing happens at our own GMP-licensed site in Echt. If you only need the secondary layer, for example for syringes or vials, see secondary contract packaging.
Which services does the full contract packaging chain include?
End-to-end packaging solutions
Quality assurance and regulatory compliance
Controlled storage and logistics
What should you check before choosing a contract packager?
The questions that tell you most about a contract packager are practical ones. Here is what to ask, and how we answer.
- Which licence covers your product? Ask which steps fall under the GMP licence and whether controlled substances are allowed. Ecobliss is GMP-licensed for secondary packaging of human and veterinary medicines, including controlled substances.
- Can the same partner take you from clinical batch to commercial supply? Changing packer at scale-up means re-validation. We pack from very small batches for phase I trials to medium and large commercial runs, in our packaging rooms.
- Who arranges the components? We arrange the components as part of one route, so you have one point of contact for every change.
- How is serialisation handled? Ask whether it is part of packing or added afterwards. Our serialisation is FMD-compliant and part of our packing, with track-and-trace.
- How fast will you see a prototype? Ours typically takes five to ten working days from concept.
- Have they packed comparable products? Ask for examples close to your product. Our cases show recent projects.
Quality and compliance in facts
- GMP-licensed for secondary packaging of human and veterinary medicines, including controlled substances, stored in a secure on-site vault (quality and licences).
- FMD-compliant serialisation with track-and-trace.
- GDP-compliant warehouses.
- From very small batches to medium and large runs, in our packaging rooms (commercial packaging).
- FSC certified under licence C194323.
Further reading: what GMP means for packaging, process validation in the pharmaceutical industry and how serialisation works. Source: EU Falsified Medicines Directive 2011/62/EU.
Supplying Switzerland?
Switzerland is not part of the EU Falsified Medicines Directive. Under the EU-Switzerland Mutual Recognition Agreement, both sides recognise each other's GMP inspection results for medicines. Serialisation in Switzerland, through the Swiss Medicines Verification System (SMVS) that is connected to the EU hub, is voluntary at present. If your packs go to Switzerland, tell us at the start, so we plan the code and the Swiss text on the pack with you. Ecobliss supplies clients in Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Frequently asked questions
What does pharmaceutical contract packaging at Ecobliss include?
Design and development, sourcing of the packaging components, primary packaging (blister forming, filling and lidding seal) and secondary packaging such as wallets, cartons and child-resistant packs, with FMD-compliant serialisation and GDP-compliant storage.
Which dosage forms can you pack?
Specialty medication across syringes, vials, suppositories and oral solids. Our secondary packaging accommodates all primary packed dosage forms, including bottles.
Are you GMP-licensed, and can you handle controlled substances?
Yes. Ecobliss is GMP-licensed for secondary packaging of human and veterinary medicines, including controlled substances, which we store in a secure on-site vault. We are FSC certified under licence C194323.
Do you handle serialisation?
Yes. Serialisation is FMD-compliant and part of our packing, with track-and-trace for full supply chain visibility, so packs leave verified and traceable. For Germany, the EU Falsified Medicines Directive runs through securPharm: since 9 February 2019 every prescription pack carries a Data Matrix code (with the product number as PPN or NTIN, a serial number, batch and expiry date) and an anti-tampering device.
Which batch sizes do you take on?
From very small batches, for example for phase I clinical trials, to medium and large commercial runs. Our machine suite and packaging rooms let the same partner stay with your product across its whole volume curve.
Should we outsource packaging or keep it in-house?
Outsourcing usually pays off when you have several products in different formats, clinical trials with small or unpredictable volumes, or launches in several markets. Keeping packaging in-house can make sense for a single very high-volume product on a dedicated line. If you are unsure, we can look at your portfolio with you.
