Pharmaceutical Packaging Companies have their work cut out | Valdamark Packaging

The market for pharmaceutical packaging is predicted to increase at a CAGR of 8.75% through to 2026, with PET packaging contributing $45.12bn of this.

The Pharmaceutical Packaging market is forecast to increase at a CAGR of 8.75% all the way until 2026, with PET packaging accounting for about $45.12 billion of this growth.

During 2017 the total Pharmaceutical Packaging market was estimated to be worth $70.16 billion, about €61.6 billion Euro.

It is projected that this will double by 2026. Research & Markets expect it will total over $149.25.

Emerging economies are one of the key drivers of this upward trend.

India is still and emerging economy and is the producer of many of the generic, ‘household name’ medicines we use.

Indeed the India Brand Equity Foundation estimates that the country is responsible for 50% of global vaccine usage, 40% of the generic demand in the United States whilst for the United Kingdom India manufactures a huge 25% of all medicines.

The report also looks into the products motivating the increase in demand. The two biggest areas of growth are for drug delivery services and blister packaging.

PET Packaging

Globally PET Packaging is growing at a faster rate than the overall market. Despite being a sub set of the bigger picture the forecast shows that it will expand from $14.36 billion to $45.12 billion by 2026. The Compound annual growth rate measures this rate of growth at 13.6%.

PET is a type of plastic that’s use is widespread in packaging. Primarily for oral drug formulations as well as common ‘over the counter’ Pediatric & Geriatric drugs.

Serialsation & Validation

As you can imagine Pharmaceutical Packaging is already a heavily regulated industry. Further complex regulation is expected, which could hinder further growth into the future.

The most prominent is that in Europe and the United States where serial codes must be added to medical packaging.

The global standard for sterile packaging primarily focuses around EN 868. This focuses on standards for testing as well as best practices and processes for packaging materials and their heat sealing. This must be done by a Medical Heat Sealer that is validatable to code and record the packaging,

With costs increasing for the pharmaceutical companies some have whispered rumours that their may be money to be made in the gathering of patient data through these new regulations.

As you can see there are now a whole host of additional burdens on Pharmaceutical Packaging Companies.

in order to sell products into the largest areas of growth, whilst conforming to all the rules surrounding serialisation.

Pharmaceutical Packaging Companies

In healthcare today, we face challenges like an aging population and high costs. To ease this burden, patients are taking more control of their treatment by self-administering medication at home. This change has led to the rise of pre-filled containers and delivery devices.

The focus is now on creating packaging that not only keeps medication safe but also makes it easy for patients to use. Pre-filled syringes are a breakthrough technology that ensures secure delivery and prevents contamination.

Extensive Testing

Extensive testing is crucial for compounds and packaging. It involves checking material compatibility, extractables, durability, and shelf life. Some compounds may seem safe but reveal hidden risks during tests.

The evolution of pre-filled syringes continues with the introduction of wearable injectors. These devices help with home-based treatment and reduce hospital visits. They also allow for remote monitoring of dosage adherence, improving patient care.

Intelligent Packaging

Intelligent pharmaceutical packaging is growing at a 9% rate by 2025. "Active" packaging responds to environmental changes, going beyond basic containment. It's important because pharmaceutical ingredients are sensitive to moisture, oxygen, and gases.

Active packaging with QR codes gives users more information, while RFID technology prevents tampering. Smart sensors detect changes in temperature, humidity, and light. RFID-tagged packaging and wearables support secure patient-doctor interaction.

The pharmaceutical packaging sector faces a unique challenge. It must protect medicines from various threats while considering sustainability. Innovations in 3D printing help reduce waste and save time and money. Some companies are printing product and patient information directly onto packaging to reduce waste.

QR Codes

QR codes on packaging provide information and minimise material use. The industry is also addressing plastic waste by exploring biodegradable and recyclable plastics. Biomass-based materials, like sugarcane-derived packaging, are becoming more popular as technology advances and consumers demand eco-friendly options.

Pharmaceutical packaging companies play a vital role in making healthcare more accessible and sustainable. Despite plastic's prevalence in pharmaceutical packaging due to its protective properties, research into biodegradable plastics and recyclable bioplastics is on the rise.

Companies like Astellas Pharma are setting examples by adopting biomass-based materials. As technologies evolve and consumer demand for eco-friendly options grows, biomass-based materials may become more widespread in the industry.