Packaging is enclosing a product in a suitable material to ensure its protection during different post-manufacturing stages. Every product that is intended for human consumption must be packaged, and without it is not allowed by the regulatory bodies to distribute for its human consumption. The pharmaceutical industry has some of the highest standards and requirements for various manufacturing processes, and packaging is one of them.
Pharmaceutical products must be packed in a suitable packaging material after being manufactured in a manufacturing facility before being shipped or transported to their destination. The primary purpose of packaging material is to protect the pharma product from various external factors such as Environmental, human, contamination, and other unfavorable conditions. Packaging material also ensures that the medicine or drug reaches its intended user, such as Patients and Hospitals, with the required properties and efficacy.
The packaging of pharma products is essential for every dosage form. Every dosage form has its own specific packaging material type requirement. Packaging for one dosage cannot be used for another dosage type. For example, it is not possible to use injectable-type packaging material for solid oral dosage.
Purpose of packaging material in a Pharmaceutical Industry
Following are some of important functions of pharmaceutical packaging
Post-Manufacturing Protection
Pharma product has to go through various stages before reaching their intended destination. In some cases, after manufacturing, the medicine is kept on hold in the manufacturing facility for necessary testing and approvals by the Quality department. The pharma products are stored in the warehouse before dispatching to the intended destination. Finally, during transportation, pharma product also faces many different environmental conditions. The packaging material protects the pharma product through different post-manufacturing stages.
Product Information
Packaging material is used for product identification and to display critical information necessary for the product. For example, essential product information such as Batch ID, Expiry Date, and the product’s Constituents are indicated through the packaging material.
Packaging materials are also used to provide instructions for human consumption—for example, the method and quantity of administering the required medicine.
Marketing
Pharma manufacturers use Packaging material for marketing purposes of medicines. The product packs reach every person, whether it requires medicines or not. Using appropriate and human-friendly materials attracts people’s attention. Different color combinations and schemes are also helpful techniques for attraction.
The marketing tactics used by the pharma manufacturers does not require technical or specialized knowledge to understand the content. however, the content and message can be easily understandable by the common people.
Types of Packaging Material
Pharmaceutical packaging material can be categorized according to different principles depending on the product type and application. The pharma packaging material is categorized into three main broad categories, i.e., Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary. They are named according to the degree of protection they provide to the product. Let’s look at each type of these packaging material type.
Primary Packaging Material
Primary packaging material is the first layer of material used to pack the pharma product and comes in direct contact. The main purpose of the primary packaging is to sell the product and protect the product against different hazards such as Contamination and chemical or physical deterioration.
The material of primary packaging must not react with the product. Otherwise, it will contaminate the product, and then the produc...
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