Pharma Packaging

Custom Pharma Packaging: Drugs and Pharmaceutical Packaging Solutions

A pharmaceutical product undergoes numerous processes and treatments before it is distributed in the market and to patients. Before they are distributed, they are properly labeled with serialization and packaged into containers. This packaging performs two main functions: prevention and measurement. They prevent external and environmental factors from contaminating the drugs and measure the specific quantity and dose of medicine. Moreover, the packaging must ensure the pharmaceuticals are best for use under hot, cold storage, and storage at room temperatures.

The parameters that measure the success of your pharmaceutical products are their efficacy and safety. If one of them is compromised, your products fail. Therefore, the right packaging is needed to achieve both parameters so that lives are not at stake after consuming these pharmaceuticals. The pharma packaging is designed by taking into account the requirements described by the Food and Drug Administration, i.e., the Regulatory Authority in the United States.

If you are looking for the right type of Pharma packaging that is customized to meet the FDA regulatory requirements, MyBoxPrinting is here to help with that. You can get the packaging according to the type of medication, in the size you want, and the design that matches your brand.

What Is Pharma Packaging?

Pharma packaging is not only about presentation and storage of medications and pharmaceuticals. It's about increasing their shelf life and ensuring that it is best used under specific illnesses or diseases. The following reasons lead to the pharmaceutical packaging:

Why Pharma Packaging Solutions Are Needed?

Pharma packaging is not only about presentation and storage of medications and pharmaceuticals. It's about increasing their shelf life and ensuring that it is best used under specific illnesses or diseases. The following reasons lead to the pharmaceutical packaging:

Increase Shelf Life of Drugs & Protection of Formula

The drug formulation contains ingredients that are sensitive to sunlight and other external factors. No matter what type of medicine it is, “homeopathic drugs, allopathic medicine, folk medicines, and dietary supplements”. The medicine boxes and packaging serve as a barrier against these factors and extend their shelf life.

Labeling of The Medications

There must be adequate and accurate information on the packaging about drugs. The packaging often involves proper labeling that includes the name of the medicine, expiry date, dosage, and conditions of storage.

Proper Branding

Branding is another primary reason for pharma packaging to label the brand to which this medication belongs. The packaging makes your brand visible and shows credibility.

The Three Levels of Pharmaceutical Packaging

The pharmaceutical packaging is not a single layer of packaging in which the product is packed, and you are done. Unlike other product packaging, this type of packaging is classified into three layers based on its distinct purposes:

Primary Pharmaceutical Packaging

Primary packaging refers to the type of packaging that directly interacts with the product. In terms of pharma, it refers to the containers that contain the drugs and medications in any form, i.e., solid, liquid, and semi-solid forms.

The examples of primary packaging include blister packaging, glass bottles, sachets, and vials. This packaging must be in accordance with US regulatory requirements for labeling and safety. The labels describe all the necessary information, like manufacturing date, expiry date, and the recommended dose.

Secondary Pharmaceutical Packaging

The secondary packaging is the packaging of multiple primary packages, in simple words. Why is it done? This type of pharmaceutical packaging ensures that medication and drug containers are organized and safe during storage and shipment.

The examples include boxes, cartons, and shipping containers. They protect the fragile bottles and containers from external factors during storage in pharmacies, hospitals, and medical stores, and crush resistance during shipping.

Tertiary Packaging

The above types of packaging are not enough when you have to ship products in bulk. Here, tertiary packaging steps in when you want to ship medications in bulk from manufacturers to large healthcare facilities and distributors.

The purpose of this packaging is to organize and protect the primary and secondary packaging of products during transit. The examples include large shipping boxes, barrels, and edge protectors for providing a cushioning effect.

The Different Types of Primary Pharma Packaging

The primary packaging is the material that surrounds the medication. The pharmaceutical packaging industry is continuously evolving so as are the medications. Not the same type of primary containers are suitable for storing different forms of medicines. Because of the difference in properties and the state, the primary packaging is divided into the following types:

For Solid Dosage Forms

The most common form of medication that patients consume is the solid form. The tablets and capsules are the most common medicines consumed worldwide. The following packaging types are available for unit-dose pharmaceuticals:

Blister Packs For Solid Unit Doses of Drugs

You have consumed tablets or capsules at least once in your life. How were they presented to you in what packaging? They are packed in blister packs that are basically plastic film pockets with a lidding of aluminum foil or plastic material. They are tamper-evident as they leave marks when opened. These are unit-dose packaging that ensures no external elements spoil the medicine and degrade it.

Bottles For Solid Drugs

Unlike blister packaging that is easy to open, the bottles feature a child-resistant design that does not allow children to accidentally consumption of drugs. These bottles are made from plastic materials (high-density polyethylene or polypropylene) or glass materials. The glass or plastic material depends on the nature of the drug, that how it reacts if exposed to sunlight. The sensitive drugs are kept in amber glass bottles.

Stand-Up Pouches

This type of packaging was not popular earlier, but now it is gaining popularity with innovation in the pharmaceutical industry. People use Mylar bags and stand-up pouches for preserving dietary supplements and pharmaceutical products that need protection from heat and sunlight.

Sachets And Stick Packs

If the supplements you want to store are in powder and granule form, you must store them in sachets and stick packs. These sealed packs have an aluminum foil and paper lamination that acts as a barrier against moisture and sunlight. They are mostly used for over-the-counter medications (that do not require a doctor's prescription for sale).

Liquid Dosage Forms

Not all medicines are oral solid medications like tablets and capsules. The medicines are also available in liquid forms like syrups, tinctures, and drops. The liquid packaging demands preservation of sterility with no leakage. The main packaging systems for liquid dosage are:

Vials

Vials are small glass and plastic containers with a rubber stopper sealing and an aluminum crimping. This packaging solution is used for injectable medications and liquids, either one dose or a double dose. You can also use them for storing powder and capsules.

Ampoules

If you want a smaller version of vials for injectable medications and drugs, ampoules are for you. They are small glass containers that contain a single dose of the drug only. They feature an airtight seal that is breakable as well. The medication is extracted from the seal through syringes.

Bottles

Bottles are one of the old pharma packaging used for the preservation of syrups and suspensions. They have screw caps that children cannot easily open. These bottles can also be customized with droppers and pumps. Normally, orange or light brown color glass is used for bottles as it shields against ultraviolet light and allows only the necessary light to pass. This not only prevents the photosensitive contents through photochemical reactions but also makes the contents visible through light.

Syringes

The syringes are pumps with a plunger and a cylindrical tube. The plunger fits inside the tube called the barrel, which is pulled or pushed inside it to take in the fluid or expel it. The fluid is withdrawn or injected into other substances with the help of a needle at the tip. Cartridges are used for covering syringes and diabetes pens.

For Semi-Solid Dosage Forms

Between completely solid or liquid medications, there exist some semi-solid medications. These medications include ointments and creams that need non-reactive packaging. The following are some examples of semi-solid medication packaging:

Tubes

For creams, ointments, and gels, plastic and aluminum tubes packaging is often used as they are easy-to-use containers. They are recommended and a common choice for such medications for their controlled dispensing systems. Their design is tamper-evident, which indicates the seal was opened. But you can reseal the packaging to prevent contamination from external factors.

Jars

For storing large amounts of cream and ointments, wide-mouth jars step in. They make it easy to access the product because of the large opening area. But in terms of protection, they are not preferred over the tubes because there are more chances for contamination once the seal is opened.

Packaging For Aerosols and Inhalers

In addition to tablets, syrups, suspensions, creams, gels, and ointments, inhalers and aerosols also need unique packaging.

Metered-Dose Inhalers (MDIs)

The MDIs are inhalers that contain medication inside a pressurized canister with an actuator. Whenever the patients inhale, the actuators release a precise amount of medication. These containers are made from aluminum or stainless steel.

Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs)

DPIs are the medical devices that deliver the medication in the form of powder when the patient inhales. The packaging stores blisters and capsules with a specific dose of powdered medication.

Aerosol Cans

The aerosol cans are topical sprays pr foams that have an active valve. The active valve releases the medication in the form of a fine mist or foam.

Types of Secondary Pharmaceutical Packaging

The second level of packaging is the secondary packaging. It involves boxes and containers that protect the primary packaging from damage during storage and shipping. Its purpose is not only protection but also the branding of the pharmaceutical companies to which this medication belongs. The following are used as secondary packaging for pharmaceuticals:

Cardboard Tuck Boxes

These are durable tuck boxes with flaps that tuck in to enclose the product from external stress and pressure. They are easily customizable for branding purposes, i.e., brand name, logo, dosage, warnings, and prescription. Cardboard material is also used for large cartons that can store a bulk quantity of medications.

Paperboard Packaging Sleeves

Packaging sleeves are made from paperboard that can hold blister packs, sachets, and syringes in organized forms. 

Besides brand promotion and display of necessary information on drugs, they make the products visible on the shelves.

Types of Tertiary Packaging

The tertiary is the pharmaceutical packaging type that contains and protects the secondary packages during shipping. It is made from durable and sturdy materials that have enough crush and impact resistance to withstand the delivery times. This includes corrugated cardboard folding cartons and shrink wraps that transport pharmaceuticals in bulk from pharmaceutical manufacturing companies (OEMs) to distributors and healthcare partners.

Key Materials For Pharma Packaging

Pharmaceuticals and medications are critical supplements that need special care. Choosing the right material is a critical decision in which product properties, sustainability, cost, and type of packaging must be taken into account. We recommend the following materials for different types of medication, as per the guidelines of the Food and Drug Administration:

Glass

Glass is one of the preferred packaging materials for medication packaging that has been used for decades. It is a non-reactive, inert, impermeable, clear, and transparent material for bottles, vials, and ampoules. The following types of glass materials are used:

1. Borosilicate Glass: Ultra-resistant glass material to ensure high resistance to chemical attacks.

2. Amber glass: To protect light-sensitive medications from ultraviolet rays and visible light.

3. Soda Lime Glass: It is a less expensive and surface-treated glass material to prevent oral liquid medications from direct sunlight and heat. 

We recommend that you choose borosilicate glass containers for injectable medications and sensitive products, and amber glass for oral liquid medication. Soda lime glass is recommended for light-sensitive medications.

Plastic

Plastic is a lightweight, versatile, and cost-effective alternative to glass. It is mostly used in pharmaceutical packaging for these properties. The pharmaceutical manufacturers use different types of plastic for different products:

PET: Polyethylene Terephthalate

It is a clear plastic material that has properties such as good strength, barrier and visibility.

HDPE: High-Density polyethylene

It is a thermoplastic material that is used to produce chemically inert and durable containers. This material is suitable for high-quality pharmaceuticals as the HDPE containers are sterilizable.

PP: Polypropylene

This plastic material offers good chemical resistance and has a high melting point.

LDPE: Low-Density Polyethylene

It is a type of plastic that is non-toxic and chemically-resistant. This material maintains sterility and ensures a protective barrier for sensitive pharmaceuticals and medications.

PVC: Polyvinyl Chloride

It is a transparent plastic material that is easy ot form. Manufacturers use this material for blister cards.

We recommend plastic material when you need flexible packaging. You can use this material for bottles, containers for injectable drugs, blister packs, and other pharmaceutical products.

Aluminium

Aluminum is an excellent material that has barrier properties against moisture, light, and oxygen. We recommend using a lidding material in the blister packs, tubes, and aerosol cans that will not permit any external materials.

Paperboard

Paperboard is a non-toxic, food-safe material that is used for packaging and labeling the drug product containers. They enable you to customize them with your brand name and medication information that is necessary for a satisfactory user experience.

We highly recommend paperboard material, including cardstock, Kraft paper, and cardboard, for packaging bottles and glass containers. Our vitamin packaging is one of the most famous packaging, made up of cardstock material.

Corrugated Cardboard

Corrugated cardboard is a sturdy material made of triple layers. It is formed by corrugating a Kraft layer between two cardboard layers that offer crush resistance during shipping and transportation.

Corrugated boxes make it possible to transport medications from leading pharmaceutical manufacturers to distributors, hospitals, and pharmacies. We highly recommend corrugated material for smart packaging with affordable pricing to handle rough delivery times.

Rubber

For sealing the vials, ampoules, and bottles, the pharmaceutical-grade rubber is used as stoppers and closures. We recommend it because of its inertness and barrier properties.

Regulations For Pharma Packaging To Ensure Patient Safety & Product Quality

The pharmaceutical packaging is associated with lives, and a little negligence can cost an irreversible loss. Therefore, pharma packaging designs and materials are highly regulated by FDA standards. The regulations may vary in different regions, but the general regulations are listed below:

Material Safety

The packaging materials must be non-toxic and non-reactive and must not interact with drugs to form harmful substances. In short, the material must be chosen according to the drug.

Barrier Properties

The material must offer a barrier against the culprits that degrade the medication and affect its efficacy. It must not permit direct sunlight, heat, or oxygen to contaminate the pharmaceuticals.

Sterility of Drug Containers

The sterile packaging is necessary to maintain the sterility of products like injectables throughout their shelf life.

Tamper-Proof Drug Packaging

Packaging must have tamper-evident features that indicate the product was opened or altered. It gains the customer's trust and ensures product safety and quality.

Child Resistance

According to the Poison Prevention Act of 1970, the packaging must not be too easy to open by children. The medicines must be safe from the reach of children because they can lead to accidental ingestion. Therefore, the packaging must be child-resistant so that it does not let them open the container on their own.

Labeling Requirements

The pharmaceutical or drug products must be properly labeled with accurate information. There must be the drug name, expiry date, dosage, strength, and storage conditions.

Partner With MyBoxPrinting For Reliable Pharma Packaging

MyBoxPrinting is the only choice of 200+ businesses for custom packaging and design services. We at MyBoxPrinting design reliable packaging according to the type of product and industry needs. As a pharmaceutical business, you will receive packaging that meets quality and regulatory requirements and is perfect for storage under hot, humid, cold, and room temperature storage conditions. Besides this, we offer smart packaging with QR codes, NFCs, serialization, and holographic labels. Businesses that customize packaging with us enjoy the following perks:

Brand Recognition

We design packaging that makes you visible in the crowd of thousands of other brands. Your product gets noticed and brings sales for your business. Our belly band packaging and massager packaging help hundreds of health and fitness-related businesses to grow their businesses and give them a unique recognition in the market.

Wholesale Prices

Get the most affordable and cost-effective pricing for custom packaging in the whole USA packaging industry from us.

Free Design Support

Our experienced team of graphics designers is here to help you throughout the packaging design process, from logo creation to designing a template.

Bulk Discounts

You get exclusive discounts on placing bulk orders. The discount makes packaging more affordable and saves you money.

24/7 Customer Support

We have a polite customer support team to assist and guide you in case of any inconvenience. The customer service team is 24/7 available to entertain your queries.

FSC-Certified and FDA-Approved Materials

To ensure product safety and food safety, we use FSC-certified and FDA-approved materials and follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) guidelines. The packaging does not risk the lives of customers.

Patient-Centric Design For Pharmaceutical Users

For designing pharma packaging, we take into account the patient comfort and ease of use. So, we design patient-centric packaging that contains a large font and an easy-to-open design for seniors. Color-coded information is used for better visibility.

Endless Customization Options

You can enjoy endless customization options from custom shapes and sizes to add-ons, finishes, and printing techniques.

Quality Assurance Team

The quality assurance team checks the packaging for errors and keeps in touch with the client during this process. The team leaves no room for errors in the packaging that can put lives at stake.

Fast Turnaround Time

For standard orders, the turnaround time is 8 to 10 business days. But for rush orders, the time is 4 to 6 business days.

Free Shipping

We believe in building a bridge between our online store to your doorstep so delivery is free of cost all over the USA.

Get A Free Quote Today!

Looking for a packaging partner with expertise in sustainable packaging with FDA regulatory compliance? You are at the right place! MyBoxPrinting offers you customized pharma packaging according to the type of drugs or medicines at wholesale rates. Contact us now if you want reliable pharmaceutical packaging.

Want to get the right type of packaging for your pharmaceutical products? Get a free quote today!