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发表于 2014-10-18 22:07:30
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FILLING——选自《注射剂制造的未来》
Plastic Containers
Glass vials, ampoules, and bottles have been used extensively to package parenteral products. Glass containers are clear, offer high chemical resistance, and can be securely closed either by fusion or with elastomeric closures, thereby preserving product sterility. These containers also withstand autoclaving and have low vapor and gas transmission characteristics.
Glass containers must be processed before they can be used. Washing and depyrogenation steps consume relatively large amounts of purified water and water for injection and electrical energy. Validation of washing and depyrogenation steps must be performed. Stoppers must also be washed to ensure cleanliness and freedom from endotoxins unless they are provided ready to use by the manufacturer. Failure to adequately prepare glass container closure systems can result in undesirable particulate matter in the finished product. Finally, glass containers are fragile. Breakage can be especially problematic if the pharmaceutical products are highly potent, toxic, or carcinogenic. Plastic containers solve many of these problems while offering some new ones of their own.
The first widespread use of plastic containers for injectable products was for large- volume parenterals (14). These infusion bags were easier and safer to handle in clinical practice than glass and did not require washing and depyrogenation. However, special autoclave cycles employing air overpressure had to be developed to prevent damage to the containers during post-filling terminal sterilization. Also, it was more difficult to inspect the finished product for the presence of particulate matter since the containers were not as clear as glass, although modern inspectional systems along with statistical sampling have provided means to ensure that appropriate control of foreign matter in infusion bags and other opaque or semi-opaque products is achieved. Additionally, filters at the point of use can be employed with all products including infusion bags. Also, there are now infusion bags in which the drug and diluent are aseptically filled in advanced technologies such as automation and isolator technology.
Blow-fill-seal (BFS) and form-fill-seal technologies using both low- and high-density polyethylene and other polymers have been used for ophthalmic and for parenteral products (15). In this process, the container is formed from melted polymer pellets, filled, and sealed sequentially in a controlled environment designed to preserve the sterility of the components and the finished product. Container washing and depyrogenation are not required. Like infusion bags, the containers are translucent, which hampers visual inspection of the contents.
Plastic containers, however, have several disadvantages compared with glass. Leachable compounds from the polymers themselves, from plasticizers, and from inks and label adhesives can potentially find their way into the finished product. Careful formulation development and choice of polymers can effectively mitigate this problem. Plastic containers are in some cases relatively more permeable to atmospheric gases and water vapor than glass. Oxygen-sensitive will require careful consideration gas permeation properties in the development process; however, they can provide a vapor barrier that compares well with glass. Again, careful formulation development and packaging configurations utilizing vapor- resistant barrier overwraps can mitigate vapor and gas transfer issues. It is apparent that the percentage of plastic containers used for pharmaceutical packaging has been increasing. It is likely that the percentage will continue to increase, especially with the discovery of new polymers and packaging technologies that will reduce vapor transmission and leachables, improve container clarity, and provide increased safety for highly potent products. Industry has seen remarkable development in the properties of plastic containers over the last 15 to 20 years and we have reason to suspect that there will be an even more rapid rate of delivery
system and container development over the next decade.
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