Track 15: Pharmaceutical Packaging and Logistics

Pharmaceutical Packaging

Pharmaceutical packaging refers to the materials and processes used to contain, protect, and present drugs, biologics, or medical devices in a way that preserves their effectiveness, safety, and compliance with regulations. Proper packaging ensures that medications remain uncontaminated, are stored and transported under appropriate conditions, and meet legal and marketing requirements.

Key Functions of Pharmaceutical Packaging:

1.      Protection and Integrity

• Physical Protection: Packaging safeguards drugs from damage during transportation and handling. It prevents physical damage like crushing, moisture, and contamination from the external environment.
• Chemical Protection: Certain drugs are sensitive to light, oxygen, humidity, or temperature. Packaging materials are designed to provide barriers against these environmental factors to preserve drug stability and potency.

2.      Compliance with Regulatory Standards

• Labeling: Packaging includes essential information such as dosage, instructions, expiration dates, batch numbers, and warnings. It must comply with national and international regulatory standards, such as the FDA in the U.S. or the EMA in Europe.