Airless dispensing for medicated creams

MANY medicated creams, ointments, gels and pastes are susceptible to moisture gain or loss as well as certain types of contamination. An innovative airless dispensing technology, Tubairless?, addresses preservation issues as formulators look for ways to reduce or eliminate preservatives from formulations.

Specialty chemicals firm Clariant, through its Healthcare Packaging business segment, announced its partnership and collaboration with PumpArt System? on Tubairless for the pharmaceutical industry at CPhI/Innopack 2013.

The combination of an air chamber and a soft plastic pouch sealed within a flexible tube, Tubairless is a dispensing system that helps protect sensitive cream-based formulas from the adverse effects of outside air. The tube’s internal pump prevents air-intake and product flow-back during dispensing, reducing the ingress of unwanted elements that can contaminate the contents. Protection can be further enhanced by integrating multiple protective barrier or active layers to the package.

Tubairless from Clariant protects medicated creams while offering several patient-oriented benefits (Photo: Clariant)

“The Tubairless design appeals to both healthcare providers and patients,” said Elisa Le Floch, Pharm.D., Clariant Healthcare Packaging business development manager. “It not only helps address preservation issues as formulators look for ways to reduce or eliminate preservatives from formulations, but can also improve patient compliance with a user friendly experience.” 
Patients in studies have indicated that they appreciate the ability to more accurately control the dosage without unexpected release or splashing. Tubairless also allows for the almost complete evacuation of the product – at least 95% – providing a clear economic benefit. 
The tube system boasts less complexity with only three parts compared to up to 20 with a piston pump system, contributing to its cost effectiveness. From a sustainability perspective, Tubairless uses 25-50 percent less plastic than conventional airless tube-pumps.
At Innopack, Clariant Healthcare Packaging will also feature another key technology to protect the stability, efficacy and shelf life of pharmaceutical products: the Advanced Desiccant Polymer (ADP?), whether used in pharmaceutical delivery or medical devices, delivers exceptional adsorbent capabilities that are integrated directly into thermoplastics.