Four Types of Packaging That Prevent Tampering With Medicine
Tamper-evident packaging is essential for protecting the integrity of your medicine. These
containers contain foil wrappers, plastic seals, and individually wrapped pills. Tamper-evident
packaging is a requirement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Blister packs
Blister packs are a common packaging option for medicines. They are generally made from a
thin foil-lined blister tray that the medication can be pushed through to ensure individual
distribution. These packs also offer some protection against environmental factors, such as
light, moisture, and contamination. Opaque blisters are available to protect against UV rays
and can even withstand heat. However, the best option for pharmaceutical packaging depends
on the packaging materials used.
The three-layer laminated foil is called cold form. It consists of PVC on the inside and
aluminum on the outside. Pharmaceutical blister packs are mostly closed with push-through or
peel-open lidding foil. These foils are made from 20u hard-tamper aluminum and are typically
supplied pinhole-free. The foils are then coated with a print primer and heat-sealing lacquer on
the inside.
Tamper-evident and child-resistant packaging protect the medicine from accidental misuse.
Because the contents of these packages cannot be opened or tampered with, children will not
have access to them. These packs also help prevent package pilferage and accidental misuse.
In addition to protecting medicines, child-resistant and tamper-evident packaging also protect
the consumer. In addition to preventing tampering, these packages also protect the health of
those around them.
Blister packaging is a common packaging option for pharmaceuticals. It uses a thermoformed
plastic cavity with a pliable lid. Blisters prevent tampering by allowing the product to be
opened only after the seal is intact. Blister packaging is also cheap and provides good
protection. If you’re looking for a safe and convenient packaging solution, Blister Packs might
be the best choice for you.
The unit-dose and calendar-dose types of packaging offer the highest level of child-resistance.
They also help ensure the accuracy of dosage and make it easier for customers to understand.
Despite their simplicity, they are not fool-proof. Children can easily open pill bottles and
tamper with them. With a high-quality blister pack, this task is faster and less likely to be
tampered with.
The clamshell type is another type of packaging designed to prevent tampering. The clamshell
type is hinged and has two sides that fold together. Its hinged design makes it difficult to
remove the blister. Typically, an operator must manually open the packaging to inspect the
contents. When the sheet is complete, it passes to a robotic arm where it is placed into a
larger package or box.
Tamper-evident packaging
The pharmaceutical industry relies on tamper-evident packaging to protect its products from
tampering. These packages have features that make it obvious when a package has been
opened, even if the tampering is not apparent until after the product has been purchased.
Tamper-evident blister packaging and vacuum-sealed jar lids make a distinct popping sound
the first time they are opened. If there is no pop sound or if the foil is broken, the package
integrity has been compromised and the product has become unsafe.
Another type of tamper-evident packaging is used to protect over-the-counter medicines.
These packages are sealed using a metallic disk that creates a visible seal. Tamper-evident
packaging may include shrink bands, tamper-evident caps, or a combination of these. The
package also contains a description of its tamper-evident features, including the type of lock
or seal used to seal the package.
When tamper-proof packaging is used to protect products, consumers are more likely to trust
the products inside. The presence of a seal helps shoppers feel secure about the integrity of
the product, and this helps prevent counterfeits from entering the market. In addition, tamper-
proof packaging is often more economical for retailers as it avoids the need for extra
packaging or to replace damaged goods during shipment.
Children’s safety is another major concern with pharmaceutical packaging. Some drugs can
erode some types of packaging, causing the medication inside to mix with other harmful
substances. These issues can occur with pre-filled syringes or glass bottles containing liquid
medications. As packaging evolves, the pharmaceutical industry works to create safer, more
environmentally-conscious materials that still meet the standards set by the FDA.
Some products are more difficult to open than others, which makes them vulnerable to
tampering. However, tamper-proof packaging is more reliable. Some tamper-resistant
packaging requires an employee’s key to unlock them. Tamper-proof packaging also reduces
the risk of theft or tampering by preventing unauthorized access to the package during
shipping.
Food and Drug Administration rules
While the new rules will require the printing of a bar code on all packages containing
medications, they are not yet mandatory. Manufacturers may still choose to incorporate a code
on a drug if they want to comply with the new rules. However, the changes are unlikely to
impact the market. The rule is expected to reduce over-packaging in hospitals, which will help
boost demand for unit-dose products.
Tamper-resistant packaging is mandatory for most nonprescription capsules, liquid products,
and suppositories. The regulations require manufacturers to use recycled materials that were
previously permitted for food-contact purposes. The recycled plastics must undergo rigorous
testing to ensure purity. The containers of these medications should also offer protection from
light, moisture, oxygen, and temperature variations. Furthermore, they should be tightly closed
to prevent any spills or leakages.
In addition to labeling requirements, the FDA has issued guidelines for readable medicine
packaging. Labels should contain important information about the drug, including the product
name and strength. For easy identification, drug names should be displayed in bold or tall-man
letters. Ensure that the product label is error-free and avoid the use of known-error-prone dose
expressions or abbreviations. The outer cartons should contain a list of the product’s name,
dosage strength/concentration, formulation, and protocol number. Also, they should include
information about the drug’s storage requirements.
This regulation has a number of implications for the pharmaceutical industry. First, the FDA
proposes that manufacturers use a bar code. The bar code will contain the drug’s NDC
number, which is machine-readable and will be required on packaging labels. Secondly, the
bar code will require the pharmaceutical industry to change their production lines, which will
inevitably result in additional costs. In addition, the final rule requires the pharmaceutical
industry to include the NDC number on every bottle label.
The FDA rules for medicine packaging are designed to help ensure the safety and quality of
pharmaceutical products. Bar codes are commonly used in pharmaceutical and OTC products.
While these products are generally not sold with specific bar codes, most pharmaceutical
manufacturers already use them to move their shipping cases through distribution channels.
Some hospitals even add bar codes to incoming products using computer-controlled
technology. However, there is an unreliable system for adding these bar codes to medicine
packaging.
The guidelines in 21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 211 provide guidelines for the
manufacturing of pharmaceutical products. The rules outline criteria for inspecting products,
issuing labels, and assigning an expiration date. Manufacturers should also use written
procedures and make sure all employees follow them. The rules on packaging medicine are
part of the FDA’s 21 Code of Federal Regulations. There is no reason to make your packaging
any less than it needs to be.
