PackagingConnections: What is your educational background? How did you get involved in the Packaging industry?
Mr. Rao: I have done science graduation from Andhra University in 1985 and diploma in Packaging Technology from IIP in 1996 – 1997. Also did PG diploma in Materials Management in 2004. I worked in QC for analyzing the Raw & Packaging materials in SOL pharma – Hyderabad. When I was doing packaging materials testing, I felt that the packaging is so interesting & challenging job while discussing at plant level & issues with vendors. Then due to my interest, I got shifted to Packaging Development department.
PackagingConnections: Your key activities at work?What is the most rewarding part of your work?
Mr. Rao: To keep attention on smooth executions of exhibit batches and commercial launches for different dosage forms like tablets, capsules, oral suspensions and injectables for US, Europe & Japan and rest of the global market.
Taking challenges of critical launches with short time lines and implementing new packaging designs for primary & secondary packaging with minimum cost, machinability & transport friendly. Development of child resistant packaging blisters packs, CE mark dosing items and meeting guide lines of all International norms.
Packaging Connections:What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
Mr. Rao:
A. Problem: Faced lot of difficulty for procurement of no. of varieties (around 120 nos) of corrugated boxes due to low product volumes.
How we over come: With lot of exercises on glass vials and on making common sizes of cartons, the no. of boxes have been reduced to 12 nos. This has resulted around 50 lakhs savings /year.
B. Problem: Palletization damages during transportation to US market
1. The pallet legs came out from pallet 2. Shippers got damaged due to wrong handling of forklifts and pallets 3. Damage of vials & cartons heavily inside the shipper 4. Some water goes to the inside cartons due to damage of bottom portion of pallet.
How we over come: The following measures are taken to rectify the all above complaints.
1. Changed the wood quality. 2. Increased the plank thickness, sizes and leg sizes 3. Increase the no. of stretch wraps from 4 to 6 times
4. Replaced from PP strap to polyester strap to have better strength and tightness 5. Used angle boards to have better unitization of boxes to avoid rattling.
Packaging Connections: Your key achievements?
Mr. Rao:Established the Packaging Development Department at Dr. Reddys laboratories Ltd.,- Hyderabad and Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd. - Chennai to take care of Global Packaging requirements.
Achieving cost saving around 10 crores on Packaging materials by taking up rationalization, by changing design orientation to have packaging customer friendliness and also changing with alternative materials and vendors.
Trained almost 60 packaging peronnels on regulated and non regulated markets. Guidance to packaging vendors to meet quality standards in Pharma Packaging. Developed CR blister and CR wallet card and got certified by CR testing body from Germany.
Packaging Connections:what is one thing about the industry that you would change?
Mr. Rao:Networking habits. Packaging professional should support activities like www.packagingconnections.com in the larger national interest
Packaging Connections:What are your views on the status of the packaging industry in India? What is the way forward?
Mr. Rao: There is a good scope on Packaging Industry for Pharma. Especially if Indian vendors concentrate on developing materials for containers, CRC caps, Desiccants, fillers, Glass vials by meeting International standards. This has huge business opportunities in the coming future.
Packaging Connections:Could you share with us your key plans for the future?
Mr. Rao: To keep updated about latest trends and start a consultancy to serve the Indian pharma Industry to cater their needs and educate people with latest technologies of Packaging.
Packaging Connections: What has been your biggest challenge? How did you overcome?
Mr. Rao:Development of CRC blister according to toxical level of dosage form. Development of CR blisters after so many enquiries from testing bodies and Poision Prevention Packaging Act of US. Gained excellent knowledge to develop any type of CR blisters to meet US 16 CFR § 1700.20 and EN 45011 requirements.
Packaging Connections:What are three important tenets that you work by when beginning a new packaging project?
Mr. Rao:
1) Evaluation of Packaging requirements
2) Cost aspects
3) Eco friendly
Packaging Connections:Your packaging dream?
Mr Rao: To set my self as most creative Packaging professional in Global Packaging fraternity.
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PACUR Inc ,
USA 
