Pharmaceutıcal Contaıners And Closures

Pharmaceutical packaging is a means of protection, presentation, identification, information and convenience to promote adherence to a course of treatment.

Composition of the package:

Container
Shutdown
Outer packaging
Box

Ideal container or package:

1. Protects content from the following environmental hazards:

Light - protect content from light
Temperature - must be able to withstand extreme temperatures.
Humidity - must be able to withstand extreme humidity.
Atmospheric gases - must protect the contents from the influence of atmospheric gases (eg air oxidation).
Particles - protected from particle contamination.
Microorganisms - protected from microbial contamination.

2. Protects contents from the following mechanical hazards:

Vibration - Usually due to shipping
Compression - this usually includes the pressure applied during stacking.
Shock - such as a blow, fall, or rapid deceleration.
Puncture - puncture from sharp objects or during handling.
Abrasion - this can create electrostatic effects.

3. They must not include the following or allow it to be lost:

It should protect the contents from water loss and water gain.
Protect the contents against loss of volatile substances.
It should not spill particles into the content.
Nothing should leak into its content.

4. It should have a pharmaceutically elegant appearance:

In a competitive market, the appearance of a package attracts consumers more than its content. It should be easy to label and therefore easy to identify the product.

5. It should be comfortable and easy to use by the patient.
6. It should be cheap and economical.
7. It should not react with its contents.
8. It must be biodegradable.

Selecting Packaging Material:

Materials selected for packaging should have the following properties:
Protect the preparation from environmental conditions,
It should not react with the product,
It should not give taste or odor to the products,
Non-toxic,
It must be FDA (Food & Drug Administration) approved,
Meet applicable tamper resistance requirements,
It should be adaptable to commonly used high-speed packaging equipment,
The product should have a reasonable cost relative to its cost.

Categorically differentiated pharmaceutical packaging:

Primary Packaging: Bottle, cap, cap liner, label, etc. in contact with the dosage form or equipment. It is the first packaging envelope. The packaging should be such that there is no interaction with the drug and that the pharmaceuticals are properly stored. For example. Blister packs, Strip packs etc. It is the main functions of primary packaging to contain and limit any chemical, climatic or biological or sometimes mechanical hazards that may cause or lead to product deterioration. The packaging should also function as a drug delivery vehicle.

Secondary Packaging: The sequential coating or packaging in which drug packages are stored for grouping.
For example. Cartons, boxes, etc.

The packaging outside of the primary packaging is known as secondary packaging.
The secondary packaging basically provides the additional physical protection needed to withstand safe storage and refill packaging.

Tertiary Packaging: This is the bulk handling and transportation of pharmaceuticals from one place to another.
For example. Containers, drums, etc.

Besides primary and secondary packaging, two types of special packaging are used:

Unit dose packaging : This packaging is a more practical packaging for the patient, which guarantees safer drugs by reducing medication errors. It can be very useful in improving adherence and may also be useful for less stable products.
Device packaging: Packaging with the help of a management device is user friendly and also improves compliance. They are packages that allow easier administration via devices such as prefilled syringes, droppers, transdermal delivery systems, pumps and aerosol sprays. Such devices ensure that the drug is administered correctly and in the right amount.

Closures:
The cap is the part of the package that prevents the contents from coming out and does not allow any substance to enter the container. Covers are available in five basic designs:

With screw, thread or shoe
Crimp on (crowns)
Press on (snap)
Roll on
Friction