Pharmaceutical Packaging

Aim of Packaging

⇨ Protection

⇨ Identification

⇨ Presentation

Container

A container is a device in which the drug is enclosed and is in direct contact with the drug.

Classification of Container

1. Well closed container

2. Air-tight container

3. Hermetically sealed container

4. Light resistant container

5. Single dose container

6. Multi-dose container

7. Aerosol container

Classification of Pharmaceutical glass

Type-1⇨ Borosilicate glass

Type-2⇨ Treated soda-lime glass

Type-3⇨ Regular Soda-lime glass

Type-4⇨ General purpose soda-lime glass

Plastic resins used in packaging materials

⇨ Polyethylene

⇨ Polypropylene

⇨ Polyvinylchloride

⇨ Polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene

⇨Polystyrene

⇨ Nylon

⇨ Polycarbonate

⇨ Polyethylene terephthalate

Problems of plastic Container:

⇨ Leaching

⇨ Sorption

⇨ Chemical reactivity

⇨ Physical-Chemical alteration

Strip Packaging

The term "strip packaging" describes a technique of drug packaging in which individual doses are contained within a continuous strip of flexible material, typically made of aluminum or plastic. 

Strip Packing Machines

⇨ Automatic/Soft Double Al Strip Packing Machine

⇨ High-Speed Tablet Strip Packing Machine

⇨ Automatic Al/Al packing machine and foil strip packing machine

⇨ Rotary Type Tablet Strip Packing Machine

⇨ High-Quality Tablet Strip Packing Machine

Blister Packaging

Blister packaging refers to a specific type of packaging that encompasses an object (drugs most times) and is sealed to a cardboard sheet. It is commonly utilized for containing and presenting various products, including consumer goods, food items, and pharmaceuticals. 

Advantages of Blister Packaging

1. Individual Unit-Dose Packaging:

Blister packaging offers the advantage of individual unit-dose packaging, where each dose is isolated and protected, maintaining its integrity until consumption. This ensures accurate dosing and reduces the risk of dosage errors, especially for medications with complex dosage regimens.

2. Enhanced Product Protection and Stability:

Blister packaging provides excellent protection against various environmental factors, including moisture, light, and air. The blister compartments create a barrier that shields the medication from external elements, preserving its stability and efficacy throughout its shelf life. This is particularly important for medications that are sensitive to moisture or require light protection.

3. Improved Medication Adherence:

Blister packaging can significantly enhance medication adherence among patients. The clear visibility of each dose and the inclusion of labeling information, such as dosage instructions, expiry dates, and medication names, helps patients easily identify and track their medication intake. This promotes adherence to prescribed treatment regimens, reducing the risk of missed or incorrect doses.

Blister Packaging Machines

⇨ Automatic Blister Packing Machine

⇨ PVC Blister Packaging of Tablets

⇨ LFA High-Quality Blister Strip Packing Machine

⇨ Self-checking Moulding Aluminum Blister Packing Machine

Materials used in blister pack:

⇨ Poly vinyl chloride

⇨ PVC-Polyethylene combination

⇨ Polystyrene

⇨ Polypropylene

Differences between Blister Packaging and Strip Packaging

1. Definition:

⇨ Blister packaging is a form of unit-dose packaging in which a semi-rigid blister/cavity previously formed is filled with product and lidded with a heat-sealable backing material.

⇨ Strip packaging is an alternative form of unit dose packaging in which a pharmaceutical product is enclosed between two webs of heat-sealable flexible film through either a heated reciprocating platen and a heated crimp roller.

2. Process:

⇨ Blister packs are made through a form-fill-seal method.

⇨ Strip packs are formed around the tablet at a time when it is dropped to the sealing area between two webs of a heat-sealable flexible film through either a heated reciprocating platen or a heated crimp roller.

3. Packaging speed:

Blister packaging speed is higher than strip packaging process.

Strip packaging speed is lower than blister packaging process.

4. Difficulties:

⇨ No difficulties during blister packaging.

⇨ During stip packaging wrinkling of the seal area or perforation of the pocket periphery may occur.

5. Machine:

Blister packaging machines:

1. Automatic Strip Blister Packing Machine

2. PVC Blister Packaging of Tablets

3. LFA High-Quality Blister Strip Packing Machine

4. Self-checking Moulding Aluminum Blister Packing Machine

⇨ Strip packing machines:

1. Automatic/Soft Double Al Strip Packing Machine

2. High-Speed Tablet Strip Packing Machine

3. Automatic Al/Al packing machine and foil strip packing machine

4. Rotary Type Tablet Strip Packing Machine

5. High-Quality Tablet Strip Packing Machine

6. Space:

⇨ Blister pack occupies less space.

⇨ Strip pack occupies more space.

7. Type:

⇨ Two basic types of pharmaceutical blister packaging exist:

1. Thermoform blister packaging

2. Cold stretching blister packaging

⇨ In case of strip pack there is no such type of strip packaging.

8. Using pattern:

⇨ A product is displaced from a Blister pack by pushing or peeling

⇨ A product is displaced from a strip pack by tearing.

9. Patient Compliance:

⇨ Blister pack is more patient compliance.

⇨ Strip pack is less compliance compared to blister pack.

10. Cavities:

Blister packs are made either thermoformed or cold-formed cavities

There are no such cavities formed in strip pack.

11. Advantages

⇨ Blister packaging–

√ Provide more mechanical protection

√ Easy to use

√ More child resistance

√ The pocket is too ‘tight’, less air entrapped, so provide more protection from air molecules and moisture.

⇨ Strip packaging

√ more suitable, especially for capsules.

√ It keeps capsules separated, organized as well as safe.

12. Disadvantages

⇨ Blister packaging:

√ More air entrapped onto blister.

√ Less child resistance than strip pack

√ Occupy greater space

⇨ Strip pack:

√ Strip pack is not usable by the elderly and arthritic patients with fingers.

√ Risk of product damage during handling /prone to mechanical damage.

13. Popularity

⇨ Blister packaging is a most popular primary packaging system.

Strip packaging is a less popular primary packaging system than blister packaging.

IPC check during Primary packaging:

⇨ Machine speed

⇨ Batch number

⇨ Manufacturing date

⇨ Expiry date

⇨ Leakage test

⇨ Sealing

⇨ Batch printing

IPC check during Secondary packaging:

⇨ Batch number

⇨ Manufacturing date

⇨ Expiry date

⇨ Price

⇨ Quantity

Packaging Validation Tests:

⇨ Leakage test

⇨ Water vapour permeability test

⇨ Light transmission test

⇨ Seal immersion test/ Seal integrity test