The medical sector has played an essential part, not only in the lives of humans, but also other life forms. The most vital element of the Medication is the manufacturing process and packaging.
So, what is pharmaceutical packaging, how is it done, are their different types, and what materials are used? Well, let us address all of these questions as well as more. In the case of pharmaceuticals, packaging is not just a component of the marketing mix, but is also directly connected to the product’s characteristics, application, and shelf life. Drug packaging is vital to protect medications from damage, germs, the outside environment, and bacteria while also considering child and elderly safety issues.
Packaging in the pharmaceutical business varies from drug to drug, however there are typically three layers of packaging to any kind of medication, known as primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging:
- Primary packaging is the material that first envelops and holds the product, i.e., those package components and subassemblies that come into direct contact with the product or have a direct effect on the product shelf-life, such as ampoules and vials, prefilled syringes, IV containers, blister packs, and so on.
- Secondary packaging is used to bundle primarily packaged material together, in cartons, boxes, shipping containers, injection trays, etc.
- Tertiary packaging is used for bulk handling and shipping e.g., barrel, container, edge protectors, etc.
Types of Pharmaceutical Packaging Materials:
- Containers
- Aluminium foil
- Injectables/ Vials
- Bottles
- Cartons
- Lami tubes
- Paper
- PVC Based Combinations
Blister packs, Bottles, Ampoules, Vials and Sachet packing are some examples of main pharmaceutical packaging. Let’s take a closer look at each of them:
- Blister Packs:
Solid dosages such as tablets and capsules, as well as Lozenges, are often packaged in blister packs. The packs are mostly composed of thermoformed polymers and include a cover made of aluminium foil or plastic that may be ripped by hand. A modern blister pack often consists of an aluminium or sturdy paper or plastic base and a translucent plastic film through which the individual pills may be pressed one by one. Because it uses so little material, it has proven to be both cost-effective and less wasteful than other forms of packaging. Tablets are simple to remove and dose, resulting in higher patient satisfaction. The transparent film allows you to readily identify a product and increase its advertising impact at the point of sale. Blister packs have been widely used in the pharmaceutical sector for the packaging of oral solids over the past 40 years due to its design flexibility and high productivity. Blister packs are excellent microbe-sealing agents and provide durable and dependable pill solutions. Because it provides an aseptic option, blister packing is becoming increasingly prevalent. Most medication errors are minimized when dosing is precise. Blister packs are becoming more popular due to their “smart” capabilities, which allows one to track whether or not the pills are taken on time. Blister packets are now equipped with sensors that transmit notifications to cellphones, limiting medication mistakes.
- Bottle Packaging
Glass and plastic bottles are the most common forms of pharmaceutical packaging bottles. They are typically orange and light brown in hue since these colours shield liquid medicines from UV rays.
- Ampoules Packaging:
The ampoule packs are mostly used for the packaging of a limited quantity of liquid drugs. These containers are smaller in size than vial packaging and are primarily used to carry single-dose medications. They are made of glass or plastic.
- Vials Packaging:
Vial containers are likewise composed of glass and plastic; however, they are bigger in size than ampoules containers. These containers are similarly used to store liquid, solid, or powder medicines, however their drug storage capacity is greater than that of ampoules containers.
- Sachet Packaging:
Sachet packages are small pouches that come in a variety of forms and sizes, such as square and rectangular. These pouches are mainly synthesized of a certain type of plastic, which gives the pouch a paper-pouch appearance and is readily ripped by the hand. These pouches are inexpensive and can only be used once before being ripped.
Effective Pharma Packaging Benefits:
In today’s world, there is fierce competition in every field. As a result, the product’s outer appearance and packaging are important; pharmaceutical packaging is about much more than just attracting or convincing people to buy the medicine. To keep the drug safe, packaging is very important, but the most important aspect is the material used for packaging, as the drugs must remain safe throughout their shelf life and not react with the material of the containers.
Detailed, clear and accessible information and guidance should be given over the packaging making packaging more efficient and reliable.
It is very essential that medication packaging be efficient, so that it improves not only the benefit of the people, but also raises the consumer’s confidence in the individual brand, which indirectly increases sales.