Increasingly stringent
GMP regulations are only one of many things currently ruling the pharmaceutical industry.
DCAT Value Chain Insights analyzed the
latest trends and developments in pharmaceutical packaging, and things sure
look promising! Here’s a short overview of the trends you should definitely keep an eye on in the next few years:
1. Plastic bottles for the win
The demand for glass pharmaceutical bottles on a worldwide level is barely expanding, due to the large demand for plastic bottles. Plastic bottles are even the most popular primary pharmaceutical containers in the world, with sales estimated at
20.6 billion dollars in 2019.
2. Blister packaging
Blister packaging is expected to soon become the second best-selling pharmaceutical packaging, thanks to the growing popularity of
unit dose formats and built-in track-and-trace technology.
3. Farewell, pharmaceutical pouches?
Although pouches are winning ground in mainstream packaging, particularly in the food industry, pharmaceutical pouches are practically on their way out. The demand for them is growing at a very slow rate because their
use is limited to unit dose formats of topical, transdermal and powder medication.
4. Prefillable inhalers
The number of patients with
asthma, migraine and allergies that are treated with inhalation medicine is on the rise, which means prefillable inhaler manufacturers are set to strike gold in the next years.
5. Safer syringes
Perhaps the most exciting development in pharmaceutical packaging is the introduction of a new kind of syringe. This new syringe considerably reduces the risk of
active ingredients interacting with the metal needle during transportation and storage thanks to a specially developed seal.
6. Medicinal straws
Another cool innovation is the
medicinal straw developed by a subsidiary of Harro Höfliger. This drinking straw contains active medicinal ingredients in the form of
tiny pellets, which are almost impossible to taste. It’s the perfect solution for children and elderly patients who have difficulty ingesting medication in its traditional form. All they have to do is use the straw to sip their favorite drink and they’re done!
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