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Three Trends Shaping Pharmaceutical Packaging Today

As the global pharmaceutical market grows, new packaging trends, opportunities, and challenges emerge.

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Key Takeaways:

·     Large healthcare systems, high per capita income, and large investments in drug development are key factors driving the U.S. market.

·      Smart packaging technologies designed to increase patient engagement are trending.

·      While automation proves to be valuable to the industry, many manufacturers find there are barriers to adopting these technologies.

 

The pharmaceutical industry has been expanding in recent years due to scientific and technological advancements. Globally, the pharmaceutical packaging market size was valued at $139.37 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7% from 2024 to 2030, reports Grand View Research.

Last year, the U.S. accounted for the largest pharmaceutical market worldwide, according to the report. Large healthcare systems, high per capita income, and large investments in drug development in the country are some of the key factors driving the U.S. market. The growing importance of generic drugs and access to better healthcare services are anticipated to provide gainful opportunities for pharmaceutical packaging in the coming years.

Like any industry, with growth comes new developments that then blossom into new trends. The three biggest that are emerging for pharmaceutical packaging are sustainability, smart packaging to improve patient compliance, and new ways to boost safety.

Sustainability

Sustainability continues to be a major focus across all industries, and pharmaceutical packaging is no exception. This shows up in ways like lightweighting, developing packaging made from compostable materials, and/or utilizing post-consumer recycled (PCR) material. Rebecca Marquez, director of custom research for PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, states that both consumer demand and regulatory pressures are bolstering the drive toward eco-friendly solutions. Biodegradable and recyclable materials are becoming more prevalent, with companies increasingly opting for packaging made from plant-based plastics and recycled materials. This trend of sustainable packaging is expected to significantly gain pace in the coming years.

Smart packaging

Marquez says another growing trend is smart packaging technologies designed to increase patient engagement and adherence to medication regimens, which are crucial factors in treatment outcomes. Smart blisters and bottles equipped with embedded sensors can now track dosage and provide reminders via smartphone apps. Moreover, these packaging solutions can relay adherence data back to healthcare providers, allowing real-time treatment plan adjustments.

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