MeadWestvaco Corp. and Bilcare Ltd. have jointly acquired International Labs, a pharmaceutical packaging company based in St. Petersburg, FL. The acquisition will use the companies’ capabilities for adherence-promoting pharmaceutical packaging in an effort to streamline the supply chain by eliminating several steps in the distribution channel, according to a Bilcare statement. The goal of the acquisition, which was completed on July 18th, is to make adherence packaging more widely available to consumers through growing low-cost generic and branded drug programs. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
    
The partnership combines MWV’s capabilities in healthcare packaging design (including compliance and injection molded packaging), Bilcare’s research and expertise in materials, products, processes and services for the integration of pharmaceuticals and packaging, and International Labs’ contract packaging services for retail pharmacies, and large generic and branded drug manufacturers.
   
“The combination of our turnkey capabilities has helped enable the creation of new, highly efficient, consumer-oriented supply chains that are changing the economics of global healthcare and improving patient outcomes,” said Bruce Thomas, senior vice president, global market strategy for MWV. “This acquisition is one component of our healthcare strategy in product innovation, capacity expansion, and other growth investments. We are continuing to work with retailers, including Wal-Mart, and generic and branded pharmaceutical companies to continue to bring our innovative healthcare compliance solutions to serve the fast-growing needs of the global healthcare market.”

Mohan Bhandari, chairman and managing director of Bilcare, commented, “We are excited about the acquisition of International Labs; our partnership with MWV will allow us to combine our global experience, primary and secondary packaging expertise, and research and development capabilities to bring compliance packaging solutions to customers throughout the world.”