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The pharmaceutical industry relies on effective packaging to protect drugs during storage, sale, shipping, and use. Unlike packaging for other products, the objectives of packaging for pharmaceuticals go beyond just protection, safety, functionality, branding, and attractiveness. Chemical protection, portion control, containment, and security of the drug are equally important.
Proper packaging is vital to maintain the quality of pharmaceutical products, especially for sensitive drugs that require protection from light and water. Packaging also needs to provide important information about the product to ensure its proper use. Clear labeling and dissemination of correct information are essential for the safety of patients.
Pharmaceutical packaging also need protect drugs from contamination and all external influences that could alter their properties. It is critical given the nature of pharmaceutical products, especially life-saving drugs and medicines that require the utmost care. The pharmaceutical industry must adhere to stringent packaging standards to ensure product safety and efficacy.
Packaging for pharmaceutical products is crucial since it not only protects the drug but also ensures that it maintains its quality and potency.
Pharmaceutical packaging can be broken down into primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging, based on the level of interaction with the product.
1. Primary pharmaceutical packaging is essential for ensuring the safety and integrity of drugs and medicines. This type of packaging is in direct contact with the product and serves to protect its chemical composition. Examples of primary pharmaceutical packaging include vials, ampoules, blister packaging, and strip packages.
Vials – A glass or plastic container used to contain liquid, solid or a powder dosage form.
Ampoules – Similar to vials, ampoules are smaller glass containers (sometimes plastic) used for packaging liquids.
Blister packaging – A thermoformed plastic with cavities for tablets or capsules, sealed on the open side with plastic or aluminium foil.
Strip package – Formed around the tablet or capsule, each content is protected individually for an increased shelf life. An alternative form of blister packaging.
2. Secondary packaging is an important aspect of pharmaceutical packaging that involves grouping primary packages together to provide additional protection during transport and storage. Examples of secondary packaging include cartons, boxes, shipping containers, and injection trays.
The benefits of secondary packaging:
When tackled properly, secondary pharmaceutical packaging can have major benefits on your business, these include:
Building your brand
Increasing sales
Simplifying your shipping process
Reducing damaged
3. The pharmaceutical industry uses tertiary packaging to handle and ship products in bulk. Examples of tertiary packaging include barrels, containers, and edge protectors. Tertiary packaging does not come into direct contact with the product, but instead protects large volumes of pharmaceuticals during transportation.
While additional levels of packaging can help protect product integrity, some environmental activists have long opposed packaging redundancy in the pharmaceutical industry.
The following packaging materials are most commonly used in the pharmaceutical packaging market because of their reliability:
Glass — This material is mainly used as a primary container for pharmaceuticals. Glass bottles are chemically stable and recyclable. However, they can easily break, making them less suitable for pressurized pharmaceutical substances. Dark-colored glass is often used for UV protection.
Plastic —Plastic is a versatile and chemically stable material that can be used for primary, secondary, tertiary, or higher packaging levels. Adhesives derived from plastic polymers are also common. The most frequently used plastic substances include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyvinyl chloride.
Metal —Metals can be used for primary or secondary packaging of pharmaceutical products. They are unbreakable but not stable to some liquids and solids, making them mostly suitable for pressurized gases and chemically inert ointments and creams. Metallized plastics and closures are also common. The most widely used metals in pharmaceutical packaging are aluminum and stainless steel.
Paper and cardstock — Both materials are porous and cannot withstand solvents, limiting their utility to making drug labels, secondary packaging materials, and information leaflets.ts.
Rubber — This elastic polymer can be derived from both natural and artificial sources. Rubber is commonly used for making pharma package closures, plungers (for syringes and pressurized containers), and adhesives.
Foam — While foam is never used as primary drug packaging, its insulating and elastic properties make it suitable for padding frozen and room-temperature pharmaceutical items during transport.
