Primary Vs Secondary Pharmaceutical Packaging

It’s important for pharmaceutical companies to know what type of packaging is suitable for their pharma products in order to keep them from degradation and subsequent loss of efficacy. The international Organization for Standardization (ISO) have developed and published a guideline for “Primary Packaging Materials for Medicinal Products” under the ISO 15378:2017 and it provides details on how quality management principles should be implemented. There are many types of packaging which can be defined as the collection of different components (e.g. bottle, vial, closure, cap, ampoule, blister) which surround the pharmaceutical product from the time of production until its use.

What is the difference between primary and secondary packaging?

 

Primary packaging such as bottles, vials, closures, blisters are packagings that are directly in physical contact with the medicinal product. Whereas packaging such as aluminium caps and cardboard boxes are secondary packaging that does not have direct contact with the product which are visible to the end-user. The degree of protection required, compatibility with the contents, the filling method, and cost, as well as the presentation for over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and the convenience of the packaging for the user (e.g. size, weight, method of opening/closing (if appropriate), legibility of printing), will all influence the choice of primary and/or secondary packaging materials.

Why is primary packaging important?

Primary packaging can be explained as the first layer of protection for your product and also the last piece of packaging that the consumer opens. The purpose is to protect the product from degradation and subsequent loss of efficacy due to:

• Microbial Contamination
• Exposure to light
• Oxidation

Pharmaceutical packaging must also be durable over time and in a variety of environments. If someone maintains an over-the-counter medicine near a shower, for example, the label must be able to withstand humid circumstances.

Primary packaging is also not allowed to contact the product in any way that would change or release carcinogenic or mutagenic ingredients into the product. It is also often used as a marketing opportunity. The packaging should feature clear branding and a message about what exactly the product is.

 

Why is secondary packaging important?

The packaging that packages the primary packaging (which is a lot of packaging) is referred to as secondary packaging. Secondary packaging is primarily used to increase brand awareness and to make it easier for merchants to display and handle products.

The secondary packaging serves one of the following purposes:

• Light protection for the system of packaging
• Protection for any excessive emission of the reactive gas in or out of the packaging system
• Protect packaging systems needing additional handling protection or those which are flexible
• Protection from microbial intrusion
• Protection from excessive moisture or solvent transmission in or out of the packaging system

Folding cartons are one of the most frequent types of secondary packing, and you should use them to their best potential. They’re made of paperboard, which provides a blank canvas for expert physical designs and decorative features while being durable enough to safeguard your products.

Conclusion

Ultimately, primary and secondary packaging provides two very different purposes of packaging but each has an important role to play in the pharmaceutical world. Not sure what primary packaging suits your product? Joyi Link provides free consultation and provides a wide range of packaging for various industries such as healthcare, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, nutraceuticals as well as FMCG focused. Contact us here for more info.