The greatly anticipated thirteenth edition of Pharmapack Europe, which took place in Paris on 12 and 13 February 2014, was a huge success. Held for the first time at Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles, the trade show was attended by a record number of participants, with more than 3100 visitors and 345 international exhibitors representing the key players in the healthcare industry.
In deciding to move to Paris Expo, the aim for Pharmapack Europe was to offer its visitors and exhibitors greater quality of service and a more spacious location with the necessary infrastructure to meet the needs of professionals arriving from all around the world.
The leading European conference and exhibition dedicated to technological innovation in packaging and delivery systems for medicinal and healthcare products fully lived up to these objectives. The new exhibition hall received resounding approval from participants, who were unanimous in their appreciation of the convenience it offered while maintaining the convivial and friendly atmosphere that characterises this event.
"Congratulations on the new fair set-up: there is more room, more natural light and the logistical conditions for erecting and dismantling booths are much better, too: We have already booked for 2015!", states Petra Maria Conze, Business Development Manager at Faubel & Co. Nachfolger.
Her satisfaction is shared by Svetlana Makeeva, Bilcare Research GmbH, Market Development Project Management: "We had an incredible experience at this year's pharmapack in Paris. The new location was spacious, flooded with light and had very good transport connections. The trade show was well organized and we enjoyed a good attendance. We will definitely meet again next year!"
An extensive programme for the many decision-makers visiting from 62 countries
This year once again, Pharmapack Europe recorded an increase in the number of visitors, with more than 3100 specialists from healthcare institutions and organisations, as well as key decision-makers from pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and veterinary laboratories, including managing directors, R&D directors and purchasing managers. This increase in high-level professional participation from the four corners of the globe underscores the importance of this trade show, with respect to its international development, the extent of its programme in terms of innovation, and the excellent quality of its conference and exhibitors.
"Another year full of surprises! Since our first participation in 2008 we have been able to make new contacts and create new demand at our booth every single year. This is also where we meet the decision-makers in charge of purchasing and/or packaging development. Not to mention the opportunity to meet and greet existing customers on the spot!" emphasises Petra Maria Conze, Business Development Manager at Faubel & Co. Nachfolger.
In keeping with Pharmapack Europe's quality standards, the 2014 exhibition offered a programme of more than 40 top-level semi-scientific conferences addressing technology and innovation. In a hall packed with more than 230 conference delegates, internationally renowned experts provided a comprehensive overview of market trends, regulatory developments and technological advances in significant fields. Key topics relating to strategic growth and innovation for the healthcare community were addressed during four extremely well attended conference sessions:
- Drug Delivery and Drug/Device Combination Products
- Packaging of Liquid and Injectable Forms
- Packaging: Proper medicinal drug use and patient safety
- Future Healthcare Packaging: Materials, Sustainability and Collaborative
Innovation
In addition to the conferences, the technical symposium entitled "How to understand and deploy all aspects of Track & Trace in the pharmaceutical industry" attracted a host of participants who were able to discuss problematic issues and technological and regulatory challenges with leading specialists in the field.
Likewise, the round table session entitled "Driving sustainable growth for SMEs: what are the key issues relating to responsible innovation in the healthcare sector?" brought together a number of interested parties, including representatives from the academic, institutional and industrial worlds, to share their opinions on this topic, which is of growing importance for the healthcare sector.
A record number of international exhibitors
In its new location, Pharmapack Europe 2014 brought together 345 worldwide subcontractors and suppliers, specialising in primary, secondary and tertiary packaging as well as drug delivery systems. Thus, the exhibition achieved a significant 12% growth rate. It is worth noting that the record number ofparticipating companies is, in part, the result of the renewed presence of leading names in the pharmaceutical packaging supply chain, with a repeat attendance rate of more than 86%. In addition, the exhibition welcomed 80 new companies, which went some way to increasing international participation at the show: more than 65% of participants were from outside France, with 30 other countries represented including German-speaking Europe (20%), Eastern Europe, the USA, the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia. The presence of these new participants also serves to enhance the range of capabilities on display at the exhibition, with the contribution of expertise particularly in fields such as polymers, injection moulding for injectable delivery systems and medical devices, labelling systems and serialisation.
Wandering through the aisles, the exhibition's many visitors had at their fingertips an ever greater and more comprehensive range of products, services and technologies at the cutting edge of innovation in delivery systems and packaging for healthcare products. For the first time, they could visit the Innovation Gallery, showcasing the very latest innovations brought to market by exhibitors, including the products put forward for the Pharmapack Awards. This new area dedicated to technological intelligence proved to be a great success, both in terms of the number of innovations presented (19 products) and the footfall generated.
Pharmapack Awards 2014: compliance and safety as drivers of innovation
This year, for the first time, the Pharmapack Europe Awards ceremony was held in the Innovation Gallery, taking place at the end of the first day. This much-awaited moment provided recognition for the most innovative packaging and delivery systems developed for medicinal, healthcare and veterinary products launched on the market between November 2012 and December 2013. The judging panel awarded two trophies and two distinctions:
Pharmapack Awards "Medical device for diagnostics" Trophy: EYEPRIM, developed by Opia Technologies & JBT Group
Pharmapack Awards "Quality of life" Trophy: Nanopass, developed by Terumo
Pharmapack Awards judges' distinction for "Homeopathic medicine": Pillstick, developed by Plastifrance
Pharmapack Awards judges' distinction for "Veterinary medicine": FlexiBag & FarmPack, developed by Virbac
The fourteenth Pharmapack Europe exhibition will take place on 11 and 12 February 2015 at Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles, Hall 5.
