Syringes for Pfizer’s epoetin biosimilar have been outfitted with Needle-Trap needle protection labels from Schreiner MediPharm, a Germany-based provider of specialty pharmaceutical labeling solutions. The pairing marks the first time Needle-Trap will be used with medication for the treatment of anemia. The newly equipped needles will begin usage in Germany and Austria, followed by a rollout on the broader European market.
 
Pfizer sought a solution to protect healthcare personnel from needlestick injuries when injecting its epoetin product for the treatment of anemia, and selected Schreiner MediPharm’s Needle-Trap. Pfizer has been using this label-based needle protection system on millions of syringes for a heparin drug since 2009.
 
Needle-Trap features an integral component of the label for prefilled syringes, and serves to secure the needle after the injection has been performed. Its design allows integration into existing pharmaceutical manufacturing processes with only minor modifications of the finishing and application equipment needed.  
 
Schreiner MediPharm’s Needle-Trapmeets the requirements of EU Directive 2010/32/EU, U.S. NIOSH for safe instruments and DIN EN ISO 23908 for sharps injury protection. It has also been cleared by an FDA 510(k) Premarket Notification in the U.S.