Contract packaging is the utilization of a contracted business to package products for shipment and sale. Contract packaging firms, known as co-packers or co-packagers, are hired to package, store, and distribute another company’s products, such as pharmaceutical units.

Within the pharmaceutical sector, contract packaging companies offer diverse services tailored to pharmaceutical packaging needs, including high-volume commercial solutions for primary and secondary packaging. Additionally, they provide ongoing support services throughout the life cycle of drug products. The global pharmaceutical packaging market, estimated at USD $117.23 billion in 2022, is expected to witness further growth.

The global pharmaceutical contract packaging market size is set to increase from $14.21 billion in 2022 to approximately $36.11 billion by 2032, expanding at CAGR of 9.8% between 2023 and 2032.

Traditionally, the pharmaceutical packaging industry is categorized into three segments: primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging. Primary packaging, also known as sales or consumer packaging, directly interacts with drug products.

Therefore, understanding the potential interactions between primary pharmaceutical packaging containers and their contents is crucial. During the primary research and development stage, efforts are made to confirm drug product stability and compatibility to ensure that custom pharmaceutical packaging remains inert and does not alter the chemical composition of the drug.

Secondary pharmaceutical contract packaging services involve packaging that consolidates individual units of primary packaged goods, often assembling them into multipacket units. Unlike primary packaging, secondary packaging is not intended to hold the drugs but to facilitate their delivery in mass quantities to the point of sale or end user.

Pharmaceutical contract packaging market trends

• Pharmaceutical manufacturers are, with an increasing frequency, turning to packaging providers (contract packaging organizations, CPOs) to structure operations, to contain costs and to focus on the main capacities like research and development.

• The pharmaceutical contract packaging market is evolving to provide specialization in the packaging formats which vary depending on the singular needs of the drug and dosage form that is in question.

• Flexibility and scalability are the important part of the pharmaceutical contract packaging process so that it might change as the market demands how different products are available and also changed because of new regulations.

• Sustainability considerations are becoming more and more a determining factor for the selection of the package for the pharmaceutical industry that includes contract packaging services.

Trends shaping the North American pharmaceutical contract packaging market

The North American pharma contract packaging market is forecasted to undergo consistent growth from 2024 until 2032. This growth is propelled by multiple factors such as an increase in new product development with complex packaging requirements in this region. The scenario of outsourcing of pharmaceutical manufacturing to emerging markets offers new opportunities to grow.

The pharmaceutical industry in North America is undergoing drastic changes as many new business opportunities are growing across different sectors. The biotech industry stands as an example of the dramatic growth, which is now witnessed. Also, discussions about near-shore manufacturing do not exclude the pharmaceutical boardrooms or halls of governments. Also, packaging and medication delivery breakthroughs have made a comeback, which indicates an insurmountable growth in these areas during the last twelve months.

Asia-Pacific’s potential in pharmaceutical contract packaging

The pharmaceutical contract packaging market of the Asia-Pacific region is growing at a high rate in the forecast period, and is expected to emerge as the largest market by 2030. This field development is supported by different factors that increase its possible advantage in this sector.

Growing prevalence of chronic diseases and aging populations in China, India, and South Korea are causing demand for medical products to rise. Regarding the Asia-Pacific pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) market, it is China and India that are in the spotlight as they are the nations that will rule the market due to the existing supportive government policies, incentives for foreign investments, and a conducive regulatory environment.

The advanced techs like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and automation are shaking up contract development and manufacturing outsourcing services. These technologies result in increased efficiency and minimal drug development time and therefore make CDMOs in the region attractive to be partnered with by the pharmaceutical companies.

Plastic’s contribution to cost-effective pharmaceutical packaging solutions

Plastic is a versatile substance which is being widely used for manufacturing bottles and many different packaging solutions in the pharmaceutical industry due to it being flexible, lightweight and most important of all cost-effective. Although plastic bottles have the benefit of being durable and resistant to damage, they do not behave chemically in the same manner as glass containers, which are not only inert but also impermeable to gases and fumes. PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) is a popular plastic used worldwide and  known for its ability to resist oxygen permeation, which guarantees the originality of medicine.

Plastic has a wide range of applications for the secondary packaging of goods in the pharmaceutical contract packaging sector. Contract packaging in essence entails the production of goods employing various methods such as blister packaging and flow wrapping. The blister package involves cardboard printing and heat-sealing the plastic blisters, while flow wrapping necessitates packaging products with a protective film.

Factors influencing bottle selection in pharmaceutical contract packaging

Bottles are the main packaging systems in pharmaceutical contract packaging market and play a critical role for many types of medicine and pharmaceutical products. These bottles are invented to be completely sealed and protected against damage, making their condition intact from manufacturing to consumption.

In the field of pharmaceutical contract packaging, plastic bottles are employed for a broad spectrum of items, like liquid medications, tablets, capsules and powder. The decision on the type of material to use considers factors such as compatibility, stability and regulations.

For liquids in a bottle polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and glass are the most frequently used because they help preserve product quality and prevent contamination. Unlike glass, plastic bottles are light in weight but offer durability at the same time. This enables them to be used for a range of medication for liquid purposes.

Essentials of oral pharmaceutical contract packaging from pills to powders

Oral forms of medication account for a considerable segment of the pharmaceutical contract packaging industry due to their popularity and variety of applications. Oral pharmaceuticals include pills, capsules, liquids, powders, and other forms that are taken by mouth. Tablets and capsules are among the most frequent types of oral drugs.

These solid dose forms are frequently packaged in blister packs or bottles for easy storage, delivery, and use. Blister packs include discrete unit dosages, which improves drug adherence and makes dosing more accurate. Contract packaging firms conduct blister pack filling, sealing, and labelling to ensure product quality and regulatory compliance.

Liquid pharmaceuticals, which include syrups, suspensions, and solutions, are another important category in oral pharmaceutical packaging. To safely hold and dispense the liquid medication, these formulations require appropriate containers such as bottles or vials. Contract packagers specialize in filling and capping liquid prescription bottles to ensure accurate volume measurement and leak-proof closure. Powdered drugs, whether for reconstitution or direct intake, require specialized packaging. Contract packagers may use pouches, sachets, or bottles with measuring devices for safely distributing powdered pharmaceuticals.

For more information visit Towards Packaging.

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