The
pharmaceutical packaging industry is thriving. From improved anti-counterfeiting and temperature-controlling technologies to ergonomic packaging and packaging that facilitates patient compliance, this article provides a closer look at the
key safety trends shaping
pharmaceutical packaging design today.
1. Anti-counterfeit pharmaceutical packaging
Counterfeit medication is beyond doubt one of the biggest problems facing today’s pharmaceutical industry. In a bid to improve supply chain security, the pharmaceutical industry is increasingly turning to packaging designers to come up with
packaging that is tamper-proof. Examples include mixing in
chemical tracers such as Tracetag’s ValiMark with inks before the packaging is printed, holographic foils,
security labels and
adding diamond dust to give the packaging a unique spectral signature.
2. Keeping it cool
Now more than ever, the pharmaceutical supply chain is a global affair. That means medication is often transported across several climate zones and requires
heat-resistant packaging. Some manufacturers still rely on gel packs or dry ice to do the trick, but more and more suppliers are exploring new solutions such as BioFoam and expanded polystyrene boxes.
3. Ergonomic pharmaceutical packaging
Patients of a certain age or with conditions such as arthritis often experience difficulty
administering the right dose. In this context, pharmaceutical packaging with
auto-injectors featuring push-on-skin activation (so patients don’t need to push a button with their thumbs), indicator windows and audible clicks at the beginning and end of a dose is proving highly effective.
4. Pharmaceutical packaging that alerts patients
Many patients forget to take their medication at the prescribed times. To address this problem, pharmaceutical packaging designers have come up with packaging that’s equipped with an audio alarm or even lightweight monitors to
alert patients when it’s time to take their meds.
5. Making sure all packaging is GMP compliant
Striving to make their packaging GMP compliant by 2018, many pharmaceutical manufacturers are implementing
dedicated management systems for GMP labeling and packaging artwork.
Inspired by pharmaceutical-technology.com
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