Pharmaceutical packaging. What's new on the horizon?
This article is an abbreviated version of the article that was published by the journal “Pharmaceutical industry” under the authorship of our company
Serialization
Every year, more and more demands are placed on pharmaceutical companies and drugs. And it is necessary to constantly keep up with the slogan: "Stable quality in everything." Serialization, both in Europe and in Ukraine, is the main trend and the main task of every pharmaceutical plant. It is clear. With the help of a unique code and a product tracking system, serialization allows you to track the movement of pharmaceutical products. Here is the protection of the manufacturer's brand along with a significant reduction in the risk of the release of counterfeit products; and agreeing the cost of each individual drug; and receiving logistics data of delivery, return, withdrawal; and tracking of each batch with the possibility of returning the goods if necessary, and many other advantages for the protection of the manufacturing company and the consumer.
Weight and thickness of cardboard
In European countries, pharmaceutical companies are actively working to reduce the weight and thickness of their cardboard secondary packaging. Less paint, lower grammage, thinner cardboard - less damage. And indeed, if five years ago we looked at the packaging of pharmaceutical companies in Europe and admired how the packaging stood flat on the counter due to the thickness of the cardboard, today we already see that some packaging no longer has these advantages. And it is not necessary. The packaging must attract, sell and go for recycling. And at the same time try to cause minimal damage to the environment.
It should be noted that the use of thin but high-quality European cardboard does not affect the appearance of the packaging, but the price of manufacturing such packaging changes. Although now we see quite big problems with the supply of cardboard to Ukraine, and with it an increase in the cost of cardboard with a lower density.
Visual perception of the cardboard itself
Laundry and external cleanliness are now more popular than ever before. So, there is a trend towards the use of high cellulose bleached cardboard. I can say that our company is experiencing an increase in the interest of pharmaceutical companies in this kind of cardboard. And, if earlier many people talked about the turnover of cream color, today the whitest of the available whites are chosen, although this affects the price policy of the production of cardboard packaging.
Along with cleanliness, today we also need a guarantee of keeping clean fibers, the absence of glue and polymer, which means that we are talking about the rejection of Chinese cardboard and a greater commitment to the European manufacturer.
Laconic design
In Europe, designers are more focused on consumer associations, easy recognition of the necessary drug, light, clean, uncomplicated design, but all this together with informativeness. The design of such a package shows what drug is inside and what it helps to cure. She speaks for herself. It can be said that a branch of the international (or Swiss) style is more often used here.
Valeriia Grankina, CEO Slavena LLC (Ukraine, Kharkov)
