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.
