Pharmaceutical products fall under specific stringent strictures by government agencies. These focus on the stability and safety of the various aspects of production and packaging. Pharmaceutical container manufacturers must always concentrate on proper packaging of their products. They must understand the diverse factors that will affect everything in the packaging process – including container choice.
Factors Affecting Container Choice
Choosing the right type of container depends upon various factors. Companies look at the intended use of the container and consider it in terms of the following qualities:
* Drug stability
* Drug compatibility
* Light-transmission
* Moisture barrier
* Physicochemical properties
* Sterility and permeation (parenteral containers)
* Toxicity (plastic containers)
* Vapor transmission (plastics)
Different Categories of Pharmaceutical Containers
The industry has several different categories for pharmaceutical container packaging. The selection of each type depends upon the basic functions provided above. The packaging categories consist of
1. Primary Packaging: This initial packaging layer comes in direct contact with the drug. Companies must ensure the material and drugs do not interact but still provide proper containment. Classic examples are blister and strip packages
2. Secondary Packaging: This is the container storing the primary container are covered or packaged. They may be boxes or cartons
3. Tertiary packaging: These are larger containers to ensure shipping in bulk is safe and secure. These packages may be barrels or shipping containers
The primary categories usually are made of one of two materials. These are glass and plastic. Both must conform to the stringent specifications of the FDA.
Choosing the Right Pharmaceutical Container
Choosing the right pharmaceutical container relies on the capabilities of the manufacturer as well as the requirements of both the customer and the various regulatory bodies. Companies who produce medical packaging have to conform to various restrictions while providing effective and attractive packaging for their client’s products. It is a difficult task but one accomplished with aplomb by the packaging industry.
