When we set our sights on something online or in a store, we’re typically more interested in the product itself than its packaging. But the way a product is packaged is not to be overlooked. A lot of thought goes into the way a product is packaged, both in terms of how it appeals to the consumer and also how effectively it secures the product within.
Puzzles and toys like Legos with a lot of small pieces are typically packaged in cardboard boxes that allow the pieces to move freely–after all, the point of these objects is to have the user put something together, so the pieces should be jumbled and free to roam. Other products, like batteries, toy cars, and sets of pens are usually confined in plastic blister packaging. This is the type of transparent packaging that snugly envelops the object.
Packing is part of what sells something to the consumer, but it goes beyond marketing in the world of pharmaceuticals.
Pharmaceutical and Medical Packaging:
Proper packaging isn’t just essential for popular consumer goods, but also for pharmaceuticals. When it comes to both over the counter and prescription drugs, the way medicine is presented plays a key role in helping the consumer understand how to properly ingest it.
For instance, certain products that require several dosages a day might be be packaged in a bottle for easier access to the medication inside. Most of these bottles are equipped with child-proof sealing to keep kids from ingesting their contents. For medication that’s perhaps larger, more potent, and requires fewer dosages, carded blister packaging is a common packaging option. And for delicate, thin medications, such as oral strips, thin film pharmaceutical packaging is necessary.
Carded Blister Packaging for Medicine:
This type of packaging is exactly like what you’d see used for toy cars or batteries. The difference, of course, is that the object inside is not a toy but rather a pill. One reason carded blister packaging is common for pharmaceuticals is that the carded part of the package can be used for several things, such as giving the consumer drug information and directions on how to use it. The carded piece can also be used to contain coupons for further purchases.
Thin Film Pharmaceutical Packaging:
Certain medicines require very specific packaging, such as thin film pharmaceuticals. For those who have difficulty swallowing or chewing pills, thin film medicine is becoming a common alternative. Like breath strips, these are placed on the tongue and gradually dissolve in the mouth. Careful packaging is necessary for this type of medicine because it needs to stay away from environmental factors such as humidity and heat to remain fresh and effective. Packaging companies that specialize in thin film pharmaceutical packaging create perfectly sized laminated pouches that are easy to open but protect the contents well.
The next time you’re in a store, take some time to appreciate the package of the objects you consume. They’re designed a certain way for a reason. When it comes to pharmaceutical drugs, packaging is necessary for much more than just marketing. Protecting what’s inside and ensuring proper, easy consumption is the goal of all pharmaceutical packaging.