Stripping Complexity with Strip, Stick and Blister Packs

One of the major challenges faced by most pharmaceutical companies is to ensure product integrity and regulatory compliance while maintaining consumer convenience. Unit dose packaging formats present an effective solution to this conundrum. Flexible unit dose packaging formats like blisters and pharmaceutical pouches are among the fastest growing pharmaceutical packaging formats. This article analyses the opportunities of using the above mentioned packaging formats for different drug segments (Over the counter drugs and Prescription drugs) based on various factors governing the final adoption of different packaging solutions. Suitable supplier engagement models are also analyzed to reduce supply chain complexity for pharmaceutical companies. Pharmaceutical Industry is governed by regulations, increasing complexity for both, the packaging manufacturers as well as the consumers. Labeling requirements governing the drugs mostly involve specifying the product details, important dates, any guidance or side effects on the products packaged. Maintaining product integrity and avoiding contamination during the filling and packaging processes are other challenges that govern the industry. Unit dose packaging is an answer to all the challenges and is thus rising in popularity among consumers and pharmaceutical majors alike. Pharmaceutical pouches like strip and stick packs, and blisters have been the most widely used flexible packaging formats for packaging drugs. Contributing to around 18-20% of the overall pharmaceutical packaging market, both the categories are currently witnessing a growth of around 4-6% due to the effect they have had on patient compliance and medication adherence. Driven by the demand from the unit dose packaging, blister packs are expected to emerge as the second fastest growing category in the pharmaceutical packaging industry by 2017.