Leading Pharmaceutical Packaging Companies

Pharmaceutical packaging is the wrapping of medicinal products to protect them from the environment and secure the products from misuse. The packaging of pharmaceutical products is nearly as important as the items they hold. This industry uses all three levels of packaging- the primary (the items going into individual containers), secondary (these containers packed into boxes), and tertiary (assembling these boxes onto pallets). Modern technologies, such as tamper-resistant and child-resistant packaging, have also been introduced to the pharmaceutical packaging industry to ensure maximum safety and preserve product shelf-life.

Characteristics of Good Packaging -

Good pharmaceutical packaging should have the following characteristics:

• Good pharmaceutical packaging should protect the product from environmental hazards such as microorganisms, humidity, sunlight, etc.
• It must protect the pharma products from transport shocks, vibrations, or compression.
• Good pharmaceutical packaging must not permit the loss of the product’s content.
• It should allow for information to be provided on it for easy identification, and it should be aesthetically pleasing.
• Good packaging should provide convenient access for the intended user (while deterring misuse by others), be biodegradable when possible, and must not react with the pharmaceutical products contained within.

Types of Pharmaceutical Packaging -

Pharmaceutical packaging is very important for the safety of patients (and others). Therefore, it is highly regulated in many countries. There are seven major types of pharmaceutical packaging, and each one is discussed below.

Vials -

Vials are made from either plastic or glass and may be used for storing capsules, liquids, or powders. Vial packaging is used for most pharmaceutical injection applications. Vials have different sealing options.

Ampoules (Ampules) -

Ampoules are used for storing liquid medicine. These are typically made of glass material, although plastics are occasionally used. The top layer is heated on an open flame to seal the liquid within it, and it is opened by snapping the neck of the tube.

Blister Packs -

Blister packs are the most commonly used form of packaging. Blister packs are pre-formed plastic that is used to store solid doses. Blister packs are essentially cavities or pockets of plastic, typically with a back covering of aluminum foil, paper, or cardboard.

Sterile Packaging -

Sterile packaging is used when it is essential to prevent germs, bacteria, or viruses from contaminating the item being housed. The products used with this type of packaging are coated with plastic films to ensure safety of products.

Sachet Packaging -

Sachet packaging is a square or rectangular-shaped pouch used mostly with powdered products. The sachets are perforated for easy opening and are for single use only.

Metal Packaging -

Metal packaging of pharmaceutical goods went back to the early 1900s and was developed as a lighter means of housing these products. Yet, the pharmaceutical industry discovered that metals are reactive and can harm the product. However, metals are opaque and favored as a packaging material in applications where light can affect the pharmaceutical.

Bottles -

Bottles are widely used for packaging purposes. Bottles are used to store solids, liquids, or powdered content. The lids are tightly sealed to protect the product from germs and contamination. Bottles can be made of plastic or glass and can be transparent or vary in color.

Types of Pharmaceutical Packaging Equipment -

Below is just a partial list of packing equipment commonly utilized with pharmaceuticals:

Blister Packing Machine -

The blister packing machine is the most commonly used equipment in the pharma industry. Blister packing machines handle capsules, tablets, vials, syringes, and drips.

Strip Packing Machine -

A strip packing machine is a high-speed packaging machine that can control optimum temperature. Strip packing machines work with various mediums like aluminum foil, cellophane, polyethylene plastic, and other heat-sealing materials. They are used for pills, tablets, lozenges, and capsules of various sizes.

Effervescent Packing Machine -

Effervescent packing machines are used for fragile packaging tablets designed to dissolve in water. An effervescent packing machine packs tablets into long tubes and has a lid-sealing capacity.

Syrup Powder Filler Machine -

A syrup powder filling machine dispenses dry syrup powders into various bottles.

Cartoning Machine -

A cartoning machine is used for securing pharmaceutical products in big boxes. For this purpose, proper packing of these products is necessary. This equipment is employed to put bottles, vials, injections, syrups, and tablets into cartons to ensure that the products are tamper-free, ready to transport, and safe to use.

Liquid-Filling Machine -

Filling liquid in containers is much more difficult than filling solids or powders. Liquid-filling machines precisely dispense pharmaceutical liquids into vials, bottles, IVs, and many other containers. In addition, liquid-filling machines ensure accurate filling without spillage; liquid-filling machines can also be semi-automated or fully automated.

Pharmaceutical packaging machines are also for other applications, including labeling, sealing, and packaging leak detection.

Importance of Pharmaceutical Packaging -

• Pharmaceutical packaging helps to protect the medication from contaminants.
• The drug’s efficacy and potency can be disturbed if mishandled or leaked. Proper packaging helps to maintain the quality standards of the medicine.
• The packaging can also help provide accurate and relevant information about the product, such as storage and dosage.
• Packaging also helps protect the product from external factors that can damage it.
• Proper packaging and sealing also prevent easy access to medications for children.
• Pharmaceutical packaging of medications may also be designed to appeal to the customer, to make the company identifiable, and to help the consumer and pharmacy staff understand the product.

Choosing the Correct Pharmaceutical Packaging Supplier

To make sure you have the most constructive outcome when purchasing Pharmaceutical Packaging from a Pharmaceutical Packaging Supplier, it is important to compare at least 4 or 5 Companies using our Pharmaceutical Packaging directory. Each Pharmaceutical Packaging Manufacturer has a business profile page that highlights their areas of experience and capabilities and a contact form to directly communicate with the manufacturer for more information or request a quote. Review each Pharmaceutical Packaging company website using our proprietary website previewer to get an idea of what each business specializes in, and then use our simple RFQ form to contact multiple Pharmaceutical Packaging businesses with the same message.