Packaging for the pharmaceutical industry at interpack

Only packaging that comes into direct contact with the medicine needs to be sterile – for example, in the case of injectable solutions. Such packaging is produced under cleanroom conditions or sterilised afterwards.

Pharmaceutical packaging is subject to, amongst other things, GMP guidelines, the Medicines Act and EU regulations. It must be safe, functional and correctly labelled.

A child-resistant closure prevents small children from accidentally opening and ingesting medicines. It is easy for adults to open but difficult for children.

Mandatory information includes the product name, active ingredient, dosage, expiry date, batch number, manufacturer, as well as instructions for use and, where applicable, warnings.

A distinction is made between primary packaging (e.g. blister packs, vials) and secondary packaging (e.g. folding cartons). Both fulfil different protective and informational functions.

Blister packs offer protection against moisture, light and mechanical stress, enable precise dosing and enhance patient safety through easy removal.

Depending on the material (plastic, aluminium, glass, paper), pharmaceutical packaging can be collected separately and recycled. This requires clear separation of materials and an appropriate waste management infrastructure.

Smart packaging contains, for example, sensors, RFID tags or temperature indicators to better monitor the storage, authenticity and use of medicines.

The right packaging protects against light, air, moisture and microorganisms – which is crucial for the efficacy and shelf life of medicines.

Sustainable pharmaceutical packaging is made from recyclable, bio-based or resource-efficient materials. The aim is to minimise environmental impact without compromising product safety.