There are several types of pharmaceutical packaging. These include primary, secondary and tertiary packaging. You can also find alternative pharmaceutical packaging solutions. These are available to meet the needs of both medical professionals and consumers. Listed below are a few of these methods. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it is important to understand each one and consider all options before choosing the right one.
Primary Packaging
Primary pharmaceutical packaging is one of the main segments of the global pharmaceutical market. The industry is characterized by a variety of factors, including country-specific regulations and the availability of raw materials. In addition, the market is expected to grow due to the increasing number of patient-oriented medicines and drugs. Some of these medicines are produced by using plant, animal, or human cells. Additionally, these medicines can be sensitive to heat and contamination. Proper packaging can reduce these risks.
The evolution of primary pharmaceutical packaging will continue to be shaped by the growing demand for biopharmaceuticals and injectables. Although traditional syringes with vials will remain in use, the trend toward pre-fillable syringes, auto-injectors, and custom delivery systems will continue to emerge. The use of glass or plastic containers for primary pharmaceutical packaging is also evolving. Innovative coatings are being developed for these containers.
Functions of Pharmaceutical Packaging
The main functions of pharmaceutical packaging include protecting the chemical composition of the product from contamination. Depending on its chemical composition, primary pharmaceutical packaging can include plastic or glass containers. These containers may be resealable or single-use. As with any type of packaging, the pharmaceutical industry must adhere to specific guidelines to protect the product.
The primary pharmaceutical packaging market is segmented according to the type of material used and how the drugs are delivered. For example, tablet packaging uses blister packing, while injections use aliminium seals and rubber stoppers. For dry syrups, plastic or glass bottles are used as primary pharmaceutical packaging. Secondary packaging is a protective layer to protect pharmaceutical products during shipping and warehousing.
Secondary and Tertiary Packaging
Secondary and tertiary packaging is important to protect the drugs from contamination and external influences. Pharmaceutical packaging must be safe for the product and contain sufficient information regarding its ingredients. Information on the packaging should be legible and easy to read. For example, warnings and directions must be clearly visible to the consumer. Lastly, pharmaceutical packaging should not cause allergic reactions.
Secondary packaging provides another benefit to the pharmaceutical industry. It protects the product in the event of misuse or mishandling by consumers. Glass vials, for example, can be accidentally dropped by customers. In such cases, folding cartons will reduce the chances of breakage.
Secondary Packaging
Secondary packaging is designed to protect pharmaceutical products from damage during transport, warehouse storage, and dispensing. These packages can be made of a variety of materials. Paper is a popular choice as a wrap and closure material. They often include a liner to help protect the product during handling. Plastic and cardboard boxes can also be used for secondary packaging. These packaging materials must be child-resistant and offer easy dispensing.
When creating pharmaceutical packaging, pharmaceutical manufacturers generally use three layers. The first layer is the primary packaging, which may be a bulk unit or individual packaging. The second layer is secondary packaging, which may consist of a display box with inserts for product information. This type of packaging combines protection and branding opportunities. It may also include a booklet containing information about the drug.
Packaging Strategy
A secondary packaging strategy is important for many reasons. It can help you distinguish your product from the competition, increase your marketing opportunities, and solve user-specific issues. If it's done correctly, secondary packaging can even help your company reduce the number of stock-keeping units and improve product safety. In addition, secondary packaging helps improve administration of a product.
Secondary packaging can also be customized to meet the needs of your pharmaceutical products. Reed-Lane, a full-service contract packager, can help you complete the packaging process, from manufacturing through shipping. The company offers a variety of secondary packaging capabilities, including unit-level serialization. Another great option is a full-pallet aggregation process.
Complex Segment
Pharmaceutical secondary packaging components do not make direct contact with the dosage form and are made of less hazardous materials. However, secondary packaging components should be chosen carefully as they may potentially introduce contaminants into the product. Light-transmitting plastics, for example, have the potential to migrate to the medication and harm its integrity.
Pharmaceutical packaging is a complex segment. It not only protects the product, but also delivers critical information and advertising to patients. The sector is expected to grow at 7.4% CAGR over the next seven years, reaching $178 billion by 2031.
Tertiary Packaging
Tertiary pharmaceutical packaging is often used to protect primary and secondary packaging during transportation. These products often have specific packaging regulations and are required to meet certain standards. These regulations protect consumers and the industry as a whole. In addition, these regulations are designed to standardize packaging across brands. As such, understanding these regulations is vital.
The global tertiary pharmaceutical packaging market is segmented by end-use industry. The pharmaceutical industry is anticipated to be the largest revenue contributor. Growing environmental concerns and the rapid industrialization in developing regions are also expected to spur growth. In addition, the pharmaceutical industry will increasingly demand sustainable packaging solutions.
Pharmaceutical Distribution Process
Secondary packaging is an important part of the pharmaceutical distribution process. It helps protect the primary package by allowing it to fit tightly into a shipping container. This prevents damage to the primary package. In addition, secondary packaging ensures product aggregation and traceability. Primary and secondary packaging are designed to meet specific standards.
Primary pharmaceutical packaging encloses the pharmaceutical product in an inert material, such as foil-lid plastic blister packs. Secondary pharmaceutical packaging consists of a layer of packaging material over the primary packaging. Examples of secondary pharmaceutical packaging include small retail cartons that contain blister-packs of headache pills. These may contain the manufacturer's branding and retail message. Some of these packagings may also be brightly-coloured and include local language labels.
Secondary pharmaceutical packaging is often used in clinical trials. The primary packaging contains the drug itself, and secondary packaging is designed to protect it from bacteria and other contaminants. These secondary packaging materials can also be used to organize primary pharmaceutical packaging for added protection. Pharmaceutical companies can use secondary pharmaceutical packaging to group primary packages and store them until they are needed.
Tertiary packaging can also be used for distribution and storage. Wraparound packaging offers an extra barrier of protection and rigidity for the product during transport. Secondary packaging systems also help to communicate instructions for storage and handling. Some pharmaceutical products are sensitive to light, and secondary packaging systems can be made of opaque HDPE containers.
Alternative Forms of Pharmaceutical Packaging
Pharmaceutical packaging is an important part of the distribution process of medicines. It plays several vital functions such as protecting the product and protecting the consumer. It also plays an important role in promoting treatment adherence. However, due to various considerations, visual appeal of packaging is no longer the main priority for the patient. The pharmaceutical industry is still behind the food and beverage industry when it comes to sustainable packaging. Nevertheless, there is a growing effort to find more environmentally friendly packaging options.
There are different types of pharmaceutical packaging, each with their own unique advantages and disadvantages. The most common are plastic bottles and blister packs, which have over 50% of the market share. Other packaging forms include liquids, pastilles, and powders. These packaging types are designed to meet the specific needs of consumers and incorporate safety features.
Another option for packaging medicines is to use sachets. These tiny packets are typically pre-prepared at a predetermined dosage, and may be purged with noble gas to ensure their stability. They may be made from a combination of paper and foil, and can be printed into large sheets. However, sachets have no protection against crushing and are not ideal for liquid medications.
Other Materials
Other materials that are popular for pharmaceutical packaging and printing company include glass and plastics. These materials can be easily formed and are often the preferred materials for pharmaceutical packaging. Some of these materials can be combined with metals to make flexible packaging and laminations. However, these materials have a low degree of inertness.
Traditionally, pharmaceuticals have been packaged in plastic or glass bottles. The most common material is glass, but alternatives are available, too. Glass bottles are better for packaging liquid medications because they offer superior barrier properties. However, they can break during transportation. Aside from bottles, pharmaceutical products can be packaged in amber, clear, and white plastic bottles.
Plastics are also a reliable and cost-effective packaging material. Thermoplastics are reusable and can be reheated. Thermoplastics are also more durable than thermosets and can be molded to fit any shape or size.