Packaging plays an essential role in the storage and administration of pharmaceutical products. So, we must know the best materials for flexible pharmaceutical packaging.
In the call to fight against disposable packaging, the pharmaceutical industry has found itself in an uphill struggle, as the demands on pharma packaging are often very specific and complex. This means that manufacturers need to know the best packaging materials and why they would benefit consumers, the industry, and the planet.
Here, Origin explores the benefits of flexible plastic packaging and the unique qualities that make it a popular choice in the pharmaceutical industry.
What Is Flexible Plastic Packaging?
Flexible plastic packaging refers to plastic products that can be manipulated or moulded without breaking. While flexible packaging can include a variety of materials, such as films, paper, and cloth, plastic is often the most frequent choice as a result of its lightweight nature, cost-effectiveness, and durability.
Common examples of flexible plastic packaging solutions include bags, pouches and shrink-wrap packaging – as well as specialist products such as those in the pharmaceutical industry, including sachets, blister packs, and a range of bags designed to create a sterile environment for equipment.
Rigid Packaging vs Flexible Packaging for Pharmaceuticals
Rigid packaging tends to be made from hard plastic, glass, cardboard, tin, or aluminium. As rigid packaging is more substantial, as well as costlier, it often provides better protection against the elements.
However, this creates a demand for an effective alternative to keep pharmaceutical products intact that is more cost-effective and less heavy. Flexible plastic is the alternative.
This can be made of plastic sheets or other lightweight and flexible plastic materials that can be sealed using pressure or heat to protect against contamination. While flexible packaging is less prone to deformation, it is important to choose the right packaging that is customisable to each individual need.
What Makes the Best Flexible Plastic?
Flexible plastic is popular in pharmaceutical packaging due to its ability to maintain structural integrity when squeezed, bent, and generally handled over time. Though, there are many more reasons that make flexible plastic the go-to choice, with its most useful properties including the following:
Patient Safety
The safety of the person using the plastic is integral. With 237 million medication errors in England each year, according to a University of Manchester study, including many patients dispensing and consuming medicines incorrectly, it is important that medicines are delivered as safely and intuitively as possible.
Not only do flexible plastics prevent accidental ingestion by bending or squeezing without providing access to contents, but these materials are also proven to offer chemical stability and biocompatibility to deliver safe medicines.
Compliance
Compliance is pivotal in the pharmaceutical industry across the board. Make one wrong move, and it is costly. The demands placed on manufacturers developing packaging mean that they have to follow a strict set of conditions, including:
Blister Accessibility
Because there is a challenge of using lidding with the appropriate seal strength, pharmacy packaging still needs to be accessible to the consumer. This is especially relevant with an ageing population that might not necessarily be able to open a package easily.
Different blister applications can consist of ALU-, PETM- and transparent PET laminates. The transparent range is particularly useful for products because it allows the medication to remain visible.
Necessary Information Easily Displayed
Details like the date code and the prescription need to be displayed properly to patients to understand how the medication should be taken and if it is safe to do so. If someone does not know where to look in an emergency, this could waste precious time.
Overall Safety
Providing comprehensive safety for pharmaceuticals isn’t just about the consumer; it’s also about tackling counterfeiting and protecting the industry.
One way to prevent counterfeiting that could become more commonplace in the future, ideal for flexible plastic packaging, would be a holographic effect built into the packaging without using any inks. This holographic effect could be visible to the consumer, made with nanostructures, and can be customised as desired to guarantee authenticity and safety.
The Future of Flexible Packaging
The next generation of pharmaceuticals must be one that eliminates polyvinyl chloride (PVC) from packaging – a rigid plastic commonly seen in the industry. The health risks it poses for humans and wildlife have led manufacturers to seek alternatives for many years, but, combined with the increasing need to reduce carbon footprint and reduce chlorine from the waste stream, alternatives need to be developed in a cost-effective manner.
Moving away from rigid packaging and embracing flexible plastics will result in a more conscious impact on the general environment, too. As companies look for sustainable pharmaceutical packaging, it’s important that we move away from the norm. Flexible packaging has to form part of the overall structure of the dispensing of medication.
Innovative Pharmaceutical and Lifestyle Packaging at Origin
At Origin, we pride ourselves on our innovative approach to pharmaceutical packaging, consistently looking to design and produce packaging products that meet the needs of both today and tomorrow. In our range, you can find a wide range of pharmaceutical packaging and lifestyle product packaging that offers durability, sustainability, and convenience for users.
If you’re looking for the perfect packaging solution to safely deliver your medicines and cosmetics products, chat with our expert team today to find out how we work with you to build bespoke solutions with patient safety at the forefront.
