One market that is advancing around the globe at a constant pace is pharmaceutical packaging. In 2018, it was estimated to reach a net worth of $78 billion, with a current rate of $20 billion a year. Packaging is key for safety, security and success. Like any packaged goods, the packaging of pharmaceuticals needs to be done is such a manner that it provides protection, identification, product quality patient comfort, display, and meet security needs.
Advancement in research of the development of pharmaceuticals had long been dependent on the packaging technology. Maintaining integrity during storage, shipment and delivery is assured by the quality of the packaging available.
Packaging any pharmaceutical is a broad, all encompassing, and multi-faceted task. It’s responsible for maintaining the integrity of life-saving drugs, medical devices, medical treatments, and newer products like medical nutrients – nutraceuticals – in every imaginable dosage form to accurately deliver every type of supplement, poultice, liquid, solid, powder, suspension, or drop to people the world over. The correct packaging is praised by the end user and criticized from every arena when done poorly.
Serialized Tracking and Tracing – Thermal Ink Jet
One important factor in pharmaceutical labeling and packaging within recent years is serialization. Although over 30% of all prescriptions that have been issued never get collected, the industry as a whole has larger problems of concern. Counterfeiting is very much a hot topic, as counterfeit products that manage to make their way into the supply chain cost the industry nearly $40 billion per year. The Drug Supply Chain Security Act has brought gradual deadlines for every sector involved in the manufacturing and distribution of all pharmaceuticals. At the end of 2018, it became vital to include the ability to track individual medication to ensure compliance. All packaging must now include serialized tracking options in the various types of labels and packaging that is utilized to meet the legal standards. The coding included is scanned and verified during various times of the process.
Innovative Packaging – Labelers
While reducing the amount of counterfeiting is vitally important, emerging trends in medicine demands those in charge of packaging come up with innovative ways to keep up with newly found needs. Biologic medicines must be made in smaller batches and are more at-risk for contamination. This can make the complex process of packaging design even more difficult, as the needs to protect the medications from degrading from changes in temperature and other changes in the environment. Various kinds of plastics are growing in popularity for this purpose, as there are those that provide protective barriers without the use of stabilizing agents.
The focus is also on sustainability for the various types of packaging and labels used. An increased demand for eco-friendly, self-adhesive materials will begin to impact the way in which label printers continue to operate, and how the technology could evolve to keep up with the growing demands. Though many companies and manufacturers, especially cosmetics, have moved to more eco-friendly packaging solutions, the pharmaceutical industry is subject to stricter standards that will force design teams to think beyond the standard packaging.
We offer a large variety of coding, marking and labeling equipment for the pharmaceutical industry. As trends impact the market, we stay on top of the changes in technology.
For assistance on how to make your specific types of pharmaceutical labels and packaging stand out and comply with industry regulations, please contact us today.
Bags & Pouches For The Pharmaceutical Industry
Almost everyone uses some type of pharmaceutical product so the packaging of these products is very important. Using pouches or bags with multi-layer barrier films are excellent choices for protecting your product from oxygen, moisture, and sunlight. There are different types of bags and pouches, and printing or labeling them has differing requirements. If you...Continue reading→
Using Modern Technology In The Pharmaceutical Industry
With the advances in technology, most industries have jumped on board to ensure that their labels, packaging, tracking system, marketing, etc., is relying on new and improved ways to keep their operations running smoothly. Using modern technology in the pharmaceutical industry is helping lower the chances of errors in medical offices, hospitals, nursing homes, etc.,...Continue reading→
Labeling Oral Medications
Each liquid dose label is specifically designed to address individual needs in a pharmacy. From special papers and adhesives to a variety of shapes for irregular or small items, each one is designed to solve an issue for labeling oral medications.Continue reading→
Child Resistant Packaging
Child-resistant (C-R) packaging, also referred to as "special packaging," is used to reduce the risk of poisoning in children via the ingestion of potentially hazardous items including certain prescription and over the counter (OTC) medications, pesticides, and household chemicals.Continue reading→
Aluminum Foil Packaging
Low density polyethylene (LDPE) and flexible metallized films like aluminum foil, are widely used for confectionary and salty snacks packaging. Flexible packaging is the fastest growing packaging type driven by innovations including zippers, gussets and windows. Flexible packaging is also popular because of portion control packaging and lower transportation costs.
Blister Packs Protect Medicine
Medical aluminum foil is the material sealed onto a plastic film. The advantages of using this type of seal is that it is non-toxic, corrosion resistance, heat resistant, moisture and light resistant, and resistant to high-temperature sterilization. The typical thickness is usually 0.02 millimeter, consisting of a protective layer, printing layer, base material, and an...Continue reading→
Tyvek® For Packaging
Tyvek® is a brand of flashspun high-density polyethylene fibers, which is a synthetic material. The name is a registered trademark of the DuPont company, a company with a well-known reputation in the textile and chemical industries. Tyvek® is often used as housewrap, a synthetic material used to protect buildings during construction. The material is difficult to tear but can easily be cut with scissors or a knife. Water vapor can...Continue reading→
Coding And Labeling On Blister Packs And Clamshells
Packaging has changed quite a bit over the past few years. Clear packaging, like blister packs and clamshells are becoming a popular choice among manufacturers today. Some studies suggest that shoppers are as much as 400% more likely to pick up a package if they can see the product that is inside.
Anti-Counterfeit Packaging Coders for Pharmaceuticals
Growth of international free trade and inadequate drug regulations have led to the expansion of trade in counterfeit drugs worldwide. Technological protection is seen as the best way to avoid this problem. Different technologies came into existence like overt, covert, and track and trace technologies.
Stricter Package Labeling Being Required By The FDA
The food and medical industry seem to change and grow daily. With that, comes stricter package labeling being required by the FDA. It’s important that your packaging meets the demands of the ever-changing industry and its regulations. At Griffin-Rutgers, we have a solution to meet your labeling requirements.
