The pharmaceutical packaging industry is a fast-growing one, with the demand for various types of drug packages growing at a healthy pace. In the coming years, growth in the pharmaceutical industry in the region will be fueled by growing health awareness and increasing disposable income levels. China is the largest market for pharmaceutical packaging, and it will continue to hold its position in the coming years due to government initiatives such as Healthy China 2020 and the growth of contract manufacturing activities. The aging population in the region is also expected to support the growth of the Asia Pacific market.
There are many different types of pharmaceutical packaging. Glass and plastic vials are used to package liquid pharmaceuticals. Glass vials typically have a screw cap or crimp closure, whereas plastic bottles may have other types of closure systems, including hinge caps. Ampoules are small, sealed vials that can contain any liquid pharmaceutical. Both glass and plastic types have the same general shape, but they are often manufactured with different colors and sizes.
The primary goal of pharmaceutical packaging is to make the contents of the product recognizable. This is done by considering the product's form. The type of medicine determines the shape and material of the packaging. In general, tablets, capsules, and creams are the most commonly packaged forms. In addition to this, some drugs are more fragile than others. In order to avoid affecting the contents of a bottle or vial, packaging should be made with a high-quality material.
Anti-counterfeiting Seals
Holograms are widely used to prevent counterfeiting of pharmaceuticals. Since 1989, holograms have been used to seal Zantac packs, ensuring patient safety. Unlike standard holograms, which can be distorted and removed by a skilled person, holograms are not easily copied or tampered with. According to a proposal by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries (EFPI), security seals for pharmaceutical packaging should incorporate integrated counterfeit protection features.
New anti-counterfeiting technologies are becoming increasingly important for the pharmaceutical industry. While these technologies help protect against the counterfeiting of medicines, consumer awareness must remain the ultimate barrier against rogue drugmakers. For example, consumers should only purchase medicines from reputable pharmacies, and be suspicious of any medication offered at a steep discount. Furthermore, the pharmaceutical packaging should indicate the manufacturer and batch number, as well as the expiration date. Since counterfeit drugs can affect consumers and the public alike, we need to pay greater attention to this issue.
Tamper-Evident Properties
To protect the integrity of drugs, pharmaceutical packaging should contain features that are visible or audible when tampered with. These features are required by law and require pharmaceutical manufacturers to adopt appropriate methods of tamper-evident packaging. There are different methods of tamper-evident packaging, such as flexible or easy peel solutions, which change colour when the packaging is opened for the first time.
Pharmaceutical companies must be aware of tamper-evident properties and ensure their products have the highest level of security. EAM-Mosca helps companies achieve these requirements through innovative packaging solutions. SoniXs(r) ultrasonic sealing technology and a combination of PP and PET strapping materials reduce waste and energy consumption. This allows pharmaceutical companies to meet safety standards without sacrificing product quality.
Graphics
Pharmaceutical packaging uses colour and imagery to promote a brand and the product within. Colours often go hand in hand with dosages and actions; cold colours represent light effects, and warm colours indicate stronger actions. Images are used to target particular demographics - children's products will have more vibrant graphics, while those aimed at adults will feature more muted colours. This article outlines some of the most common mistakes that manufacturers make when it comes to packaging pharmaceutical products.
An invisible image can be embedded within pack graphics. Such images can only be viewed with a special filter. They are also impossible to reproduce by normal scanning methods, and are often dramatic. Invisible data is digitally encoded within graphics elements and verified by a reader or special software, or even by a webcam. This data cannot be read by the human eye, so attempts to duplicate them will lead to degradation of the embedded information.
Sustainability
The pharmaceutical industry is making strides to reduce its environmental impact. A life-cycle assessment, or LCA, determines the environmental impact of a product or service. Using this method, pharmaceutical manufacturers can select the packaging solutions that minimize their ecological footprint. Additionally, sustainable packaging solutions reduce costs and energy use by using less packaging. Many companies are evaluating their current packaging and looking for new ways to improve their environmental performance. In the meantime, the pharmaceutical industry is pursuing a sustainable future by investing in the future of packaging.
The Pharmaceutical Packaging Forum will examine late stage customisation and discuss sustainability. In addition, it will present new trends in the pharmaceutical industry and highlight sustainable printing press company and packaging solutions. For instance, the forum will focus on the use of cardboard-based TopLoad packs and folding boxes, which incorporate child-safety features. The event will also address the challenges associated with identifying the best solutions. Sustainability will be a focus of the pharmaceutical packaging forum, where speakers will share their expertise in designing effective packaging and developing sustainable packaging.