West to add CZ vials as glass QC issues drive interest
Recognition of glass vial quality issues is supporting interest in West’s analytical capabilities and Crystal Zenith (CZ) products, new sizes of which are being developed, said a company VP.
Sandoz, Amgen and Baxter have all recalled vials this year after glass flakes were discovered in their products. Furthermore, vials with glass particles and cracks were cited in a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning letter issued to Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Fran DeGrazio, vice president, marketing and strategic business development at West Pharmaceutical Services, told in-PharmaTechnologist glass has always had these issues but they are now being recognised more.
Companies are turning to West to better understand technical and analytical aspects of glass, said DeGrazio. Furthermore, West offers CZ vials that do not flake, break or interact chemically in the manner of glass products. New vial sizes are currently in development.
