The healthcare pharmaceutical packaging industry is estimated to ‘grow to $262bn by 2028, rising from $117.2bn across 2018’ (GMR Data). Fuelled by our growing population and the improved access to prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and stocked healthcare products. However surely, the quality of the packaging and the technology being developed for packaging will also contribute to this growth.
As more and more consumers have access to healthcare products and the need for them, the packaging will also become more important. Below are 8 reasons why high-quality packaging is essential for healthcare products.
Table of Contents
1. Protecting the product from damage
What is one of the most obvious reasons for packaging? Protecting the product! It is likely your healthcare products will be transported multiple times before reaching the consumer at the end of the chain. Therefore, high-quality packing is required to protect the product from damage or mishandling.
The choice of material that, as well as, the shape of the packaging and its contents are all key in reducing physical damage. Any damage to the packaging can lead to the loss of viable products and sales as damaged items are less likely to make the shelves or be considered safe.
2. Protecting the product from biodegrading
Not only does your packaging have to protect your product from physical damage but it also needs to protect from any biological degradation. Exposure to light, heat, air, and moisture can cause physical and chemical changes to the products. Therefore, healthcare packaging must act as an effective barrier to these biological threats.
Low quality and poorly designed packaging, especially material that can be easily damaged, is simply not fit for purpose. High-quality and well-designed packaging will correctly and sufficiently protect the product. Helping your business to avoid loss and deliver your product to consumers in its best state.
3. Sustainability and recycling
Healthcare companies not only need to think about the safety of their products but should also consider consumer concerns like the environment. Being sustainable and using environmentally friendly packaging will be important to the end consumer and therefore, to you.
Manufacturing companies, like Adelphi (named ‘Most Sustainable Process & Packaging Machinery Manufacturer (UK) in 2021) understand that healthcare packaging impacts the environment at every stage. As a manufacturer, they employ solar energy and rainwater harvesting to reduce emissions and reduce costs.
As a result, you need to consider the full life cycle of your packaging and its environmental impacts.
4. Conveying correct information
Healthcare products need to display the correct information for customers/patients. Incorrect information on packaging can cause serious risks and harm to consumers. Therefore, the design of the packaging is not only important for the look but also for patient safety.
Technology advancements in healthcare packaging mean some packaging has digital product information. A QR code can be an accessible way for customers to receive the correct information as well as save space on packaging for other important advice.
5. Helps with product storage
The protection of the product is not only essential during transport but also essential for the consumers when storing. Storing products incorrectly can also cause the physical and chemical changes discussed earlier. Therefore, your packaging should make it clear how to store correctly and be made in a way that maintains the product.
In the pharmaceutical industry, smart packaging has also been developed. Technology such as thermochromic ink is activated by high or low temperatures that may affect the efficiency of the drug. Therefore, making it obvious to consumers to change the way they are storing the product.
In other healthcare areas, packaging plays a part in easy storage, ease of use, and access for consumers. For example, installing push pumps to steroid creams bottles means the product is easily accessible and is stored securely, maintaining the integrity of the medication.
6. Helps with the correct dosage
Many packaging designs in pharma and healthcare are also designed to isolate individual dosages. Helping consumers to easily recognize the correct dosage and avoid any risks or harm. Again, your healthcare product packaging needs to consider the end customer and how they will use the product. High-quality packaging w should have the attention to detail needed on the inside as well as the outside.
In addition to dosage, healthcare companies need to be aware of making the packaging inaccessible to children. It needs to be secure enough that if children were to be in contact with the product, it cannot cause harm. However, it should also be easy enough to use and accessible for the elderly to take their correct doses. There are many factors to consider when designing safe packaging for your product.
7. Packaging conveys branding
What’s the next most obvious reason for packaging healthcare products? Branding!
The exterior packaging of any product is extremely important for many reasons. One, the packaging is where your branding will be most evident. Your company’s colors, logo, font, etc are all essential for consumers to recognize your brand across multiple product lines. Potentially leading to retuning customers across multiple ranges as your brand can easily be picked out on the shelves.
Two, branding and the look of the packaging need to be appealing to stand out against the competition. The packaging is the first impression that customers will have with your product and therefore, it should be a positive experience.
8. Prevention of counterfeits
Like any other industry, healthcare products are also victims of counterfeit products. This can be dangerous in healthcare and increase risk and harm to consumers. As well as, threaten your brand and company profits. However, these counterfeits will likely be in low quality and cheap packaging so the producer saves on costs.
Therefore, if you invest in high-quality and detailed packaging, it can be more difficult to replicate. It can also help consumers and handlers to spot differences in the packaging and prevent the use of potentially dangerous products.
Conclusion
Ultimately, there are many factors and considerations when designing and manufacturing healthcare packaging. Including safety precautions for consumers, transportation considerations, and branding of the packaging. However, the investment your business will make in high-quality packaging will pay off by protecting the product, the consumer and your brand.