Packaging as a patient link: the role of UHF RFID and NFC enabled smart packaging

Packaging Solutions

Walter Würfel, vice president sales and business development at MM Pharma & Healthcare Packaging, explains.

Secondary pharma packaging has long played a behind the scenes role protecting medicines, guiding logistics, and complying with regulations. But that role is changing fast. Today, smart technologies like UHF RFID and NFC are transforming packaging into a patient facing tool, connecting individuals to information, support, and safety with a simple tap or scan. 

This evolution comes at a crucial time. With remote care models, digital pharmacies, and self-administered therapies on the rise, packaging is becoming a vital link between pharmaceutical brands and the patients they serve. This is important for patients with accessibility challenges – be it visual impairment, language barriers, reduced dexterity, or low digital literacy. Smart secondary packaging is a practical tool for bridging these gaps and enabling equitable access to treatment. 

Why UHF RFID and NFC in secondary packaging?

UHF RFID (Ultra High Radio Frequency Identification) and Near Field Communication (NFC) are related wireless technologies that enable secure digital interaction between packaging and external devices. UHF RFID is well suited for automated authentication and high speed inventory checks, supporting traceability throughout the supply chain. NFC builds on this with short range, encrypted communication via smartphones – ideal for direct patient engagement. 

In secondary packaging such as folding cartons and labels, these technologies are being embedded to create tamper-evident, secure, and patient accessible touchpoints – providing both end to end supply chain visibility and last mile patient connectivity. These smart interfaces are already supporting complex therapies, home administered medications, and direct to patient delivery models. 

Smart technology for high value treatments

Personalised and high value treatments often involve home administration, cold chain requirements, and strict dosing schedules. NFC enabled cartons can guide patients with video demonstrations, medication reminders, or direct links to digital Instructions for Use (IFUs) – all accessed with a tap of a smartphone, without the need for a dedicated app. This lowers the barrier to access and supports patients with limited digital familiarity. 

Meanwhile, UHF RFID tags embedded in cartons enable real time tracking and provenance verification through encrypted tag data. This ensures product authenticity and integrity – critical for therapies such as biologics and injectables – while offering a reliable defence against counterfeiting and diversion. 

Accessible care: meeting patients where they are

Patients with visual impairments, cognitive challenges, reduced dexterity, or low health literacy face real barriers to understanding and managing treatment, particularly in self-directed care settings. NFC technology offers a scalable solution: smart labels and cartons can deliver spoken instructions, content in multiple languages, dynamic font resizing, and simplified navigation – all triggered via a standard smartphone. 

There is no need for additional apps or scanning tools; just tap and listen. For elderly users or those unfamiliar with digital tools, this functionality enhances confidence and reduces the risk of errors. Crucially, these features can be embedded discreetly without altering the physical packaging or adding complexity for manufacturers. 

Accessibility isn’t limited to digital content. Patients may also struggle with packaging that requires fine motor control, significant grip strength, or precise actions. Smart secondary packaging can be paired with intuitive opening mechanisms, embossed tactile markers, and visible cues to support one handed use and reduce frustration. For patients with cognitive impairments or memory challenges, NFC enabled content can reinforce instructions through intuitive, repeatable interactions. Designing with these needs in mind benefits all users, improving safety, independence, and overall experience. 

Online pharmacies and home delivery

The convenience of digital pharmacy models comes with new demands: trust, transparency, and verifiable delivery. UHF RFID tags embedded in secondary packaging enable instant product authentication and tamper detection at each stage – from production to patient. Tags can also log temperature exposure, ensuring sensitive medications have been stored and transported correctly. 

For patients, this level of assurance helps build confidence in online channels. For pharmaceutical companies, it supports compliance with serialisation regulations, streamlines logistics, and opens doors to decentralised care models, without compromising product safety. 

What it takes to scale

Despite the benefits, scaling UHF RFID and NFC in pharma packaging requires more than just digital expertise. It demands pharmaceutical grade quality systems, a deep understanding of GMP and global regulatory frameworks, and integration into existing production infrastructure. 

Scalability also depends on proven operational readiness. Digital quality control systems, for example, are essential to align printing with verification and data capture, ensuring accuracy and integrity through production. By working with experienced converters and secondary pharma packaging specialists, pharma brands can embed innovation without compromising speed or reliability.  

At MM Pharma & Healthcare Packaging, we leverage existing infrastructure to integrate smart technologies into a compliant and efficient process. Our proven project experience demonstrates that application, reading, and validation of these technologies work seamlessly at industrial scale.  

The real impact of connection and inclusion

Smart technology in secondary packaging is not a gimmick – it is a practical, functional part of modern healthcare. It improves treatment access, supports adherence, combats counterfeiting, and empowers patients to take control of their care. 

As the pharmaceutical industry evolves toward personalisation, decentralisation, and digital engagement, secondary packaging has a critical role to play – not just as a container, but as a connector between treatment and patient, technology and trust. And as a specialist partner, MM Pharma & Healthcare Packaging is committed to helping the pharmaceutical sector make that connection meaningful.