Download Brochure

Track 26: Pharma Packaging

Introduction

An essential component of the pharmaceutical sector is effective packaging. During storage, selling, delivery, and use, it safeguards the medication. Pharmaceutical items are packaged differently depending on the type of drug since they may interact with one another.

While for other products, packaging goals may include branding, practicality, protection, safety, and aesthetics. Pharmaceutical products' goals also include the security of the drug as well as chemical protection, portion control, and containment.

Packaging Importance to Pharmaceutical Companies

Drug quality is maintained via product packaging. It guards against biological decay as well as physical harm to the product. Some medications with sensitive ingredients need to be shielded from light and moisture. Important information also needs to be conveyed on medication packaging. Labeling must be accurate and unambiguous, and accurate information must be spread.

The medication must be shielded from contamination and any other factors that could change the medication's properties.

Any product's packaging is an essential component. However, given the nature of the products, it is crucial in the pharmaceutical sector. Medical supplies that can save lives need to be covered with the highest care. In addition, pharmaceutical products are also subject to strict packaging regulations.

The pharmaceutical sector uses three different forms of packaging: primary, secondary, and tertiary.

Primary Packaging

Primary packaging, also referred to as sales packaging, is important for pharmaceutical companies. Direct interaction between this packaging and medications and pharmaceuticals is there. As a result, the packaging must be neutral and should not affect the dosage's salt content. If the first packaging is not done properly, the drug may be harmed, and you won't be certain of the quality and purity of the medication.

To ensure that it does not interact with the medicinal product during its entire life, the primary packaging's material must be neutral. However, if the container malfunctions, the medication could endanger the lives of any individuals who use it.

Primary packaging is most frequently made of non-reactive materials like PVC and aluminium. For liquid dosing, premium plastic is utilised rather than glass. By doing this, the products are protected from spilling or damage while being transported from the manufacturing to the pharmacy. Polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, nylon, polycarbonate, and polyethylene terephthalate are the most popular plastics used for tablets and pills.Primary packaging, also referred to as sales packaging, is important for pharmaceutical companies. Direct interaction between this packaging and medications and pharmaceuticals is there. As a result, the packaging must be neutral and should not affect the dosage's salt content. If the first packaging is not done properly, the drug may be harmed, and you won't be certain of the quality and purity of the medication.

SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACTS

Download Abstract Sample

Our Speakers For 11th Global
Pharma Conference and Expo

Various primary packaging types

The principal packaging is composed of materials that come into touch with the medications directly. The following list includes the many primary packaging types for pharmaceutical products:

Rubber Packs

The most typical pharmaceutical packaging used to keep solid medications in place is the blister pack. These are foil, paper, or plastic pre-formed packs. A thermoformed plastic pocket or hollow is a feature of blister packs. Its back has a seal made of paperboard, aluminium foil, or plastic film that is readily pierced with a fingernail. Notably, this seal contains all of the critical details about the medication.

Packaging In Stripes

It is a unit packing dose that is used specifically to extend the dosage life since it individually preserves the material. The absence of thermo-formed cavities in strip packaging is the main distinction between it and blister packaging. The container is designed to fit around the tablet instead.

Ampoules

A tiny glass or plastic container known as an ampoule is used to package liquid medications and pharmaceuticals. These sealed vials are typically used to keep medications safe from contamination from the air and other sources. By melting the top with flame, they are sealed. Notably, compared to other packaging options, glass ampoules are more expensive.

Vials

Vials are special plastic or glass containers used to store solid, powdered, and liquid medications. When compared to ampoules, they are larger in both size and capacity. The vials are sealed using crimp vials, screw vials, dropper vials, or lip vials (rubber stopper or metal cap) (plastic stopper or cork). However, hinge caps on plastic vials offer a distinct type of closure that can be quickly closed when squeezed. Most of the bottoms of the vials are flat.

Bottles

Used most frequently to transport pills in the form of capsules and liquid medications. Glass bottles are most frequently used for liquid dosages due to their outstanding qualities. Additionally, tablets and capsules are packaged in plastic bottles. Although they come in a variety of colours, brown and orange are the most popular because they may shield photosensitive materials from the damaging effects of ultraviolet light.

Container Packaging

An individual dose is packaged in a plastic pouch called a sachet. They are primarily utilised for powder-based medications. They can, however, also be utilised for liquid dosing. Packaging for sachets might be resealable or single-use.

Additional Packaging

Once the primary packing has been completed, it is time for the secondary packaging. It is merely an additional layer of packaging that may be any printed material, such as boxes.

These boxes are printed with all the pertinent information, including the ingredients, manufacturer's name, address, warning, and type of medication. The producer can simply identify between several boxes containing various medications thanks to the printed information. Additionally protecting the pharmaceuticals during shipment, the supplementary packaging effectively offers them a brand image.

Tertiary Packaging

Tertiary packing, the final type of packaging, is crucial for the shipping procedure. The packaging is not visible to the final users. Before displaying the medications in their stores or clinics, the retailers frequently remove them.

Tertiary packaging's major goal is to protect primary and secondary packing from the outside environment while being stored and transported. Plane boxes, cardboard, and shrink wraps are the most used secondary packaging materials for pharmaceutical products.

How Can Pharmaceutical Product Packaging Be Improved?

Now let's look at the four best practises for packing pharmaceutical products.

Compliance with Product Regulations

Because of the nature of the pharmaceutical industry, compliance with all rules is required. These rules are in place to safeguard consumers and maintain uniform formatting across all brands and product categories. Since the regulations governing pharmaceutical products are difficult to comprehend, having qualified employees is essential to guaranteeing that all regulatory compliances are satisfied.

Business Procedures to Support Packaging

The majority of pharmaceutical businesses create labels for tens of thousands of items that go through various processing steps. Additionally, individuals from many cities or even nations are involved in these processes. The likelihood of errors is considerably increased by this volume. To make sure there are no gaps or inconsistencies in the labelling and packaging of pharmaceutical products, assess the procedure between departments.

Packaging and labelling automation

Most pharmaceutical goods have patent protection periods as well as expiration dates. Therefore, the manufacturer cannot afford to let the product's release to the market be delayed. Therefore, automated technologies in packaging and labelling must be adopted. First off, this cuts down on labelling time. Second, by minimising human interference, this also lowers the likelihood of inaccuracy.

Pharmaceutical Product Packaging Optimization

The packaging and labelling process may encounter quality control problems. Therefore, it is a good practise to assess the design's durability and determine whether it will be able to safeguard the medications and drugs.

Comparatively speaking to other products, pharmaceutical packaging is far more intricate. Due to the fact that pharmaceuticals and medications are a matter of life rather than just another product, if handled improperly, there may be serious consequences.