Prefilled Syringes/Nanotechnology to Drive Pharma Packaging Growth

That's according to a report from iRAP, Inc. called “PH-1 Nano-Enabled Packaging for the Pharmaceutical Industry—A Global Technology, Industry and Market Analysis.”

The report notes that last year's total market for nano-enabled pharmaceutical packaging was $3.8 billion. It forecasts that number will reach $8.1 billion by 2014.

A press release on the report notes, “Packaging in the pharmaceutical industry has gone through major changes in the past decade. The advent of new drug delivery systems and the development of new biochemical compounds have resulted in a need not only for enhanced protection against factors such as moisture, light, oxygen, and mechanical forces, but also for packaging forms to play a more integral role in the drug delivery process. Packaging design today provides stability and shelf life to the drug and the delivery system, which becomes fundamental to [drug] safety, convenience, and compliance.”

Nanotechnology applications help enhance plastic barrier properties, and provide greater functionality in pharmaceutical packaging. Other findings included:

• Blister packaging demand will grow in unit-dose, clinical trial, compliance, institutional, and over-the-counter drugs.

• Child-resistant, senior-friendly, and dispensing closures will lead global market growth for pharmaceutical closures and accessories.

• The U.S. and Europe will continue as the largest pharmaceutical packaging consumers.
Published in March, 2010, the report is available from Innovative Research and Products (iRAP), Inc., for $2,950, by visiting the Web site listed above, calling 203/569-7909, or e-mailing [email protected].

—Jim Butschli, Editor