Pharmaceutical blister packaging is probably one of the most common types of packaging in the pharmaceutical industry. If you have ever taken an over the counter allergy medication, an oral contraceptive, a generic sleep aid, or any of many, many other pharmaceutical products, you have definitely seen and used pharmaceutical blister packaging.
Pharmaceutical blister packaging consists of two main parts: a plastic front with individual pill pockets molded into it, and a flat piece of backing, likely made of some type of cardboard or foil. Each pill rests in its own individual pocket, held between the plastic bubble and the foil or cardboard backing, and separated from the rest of the pills.
If you have ever taken medication that came in pharmaceutical blister packaging (and you almost certainly have if you live in the United States), you may have noticed that it can take some effort to get your pill out of its pocket. You may have even wondered why a company would choose to use such involved packaging. Well, there are actually multiple reasons pharmaceutical blister packaging is so popular.
One of the most important benefits of pharmaceutical blister packaging is that it is difficult to tamper with in a way that will go unnoticed. In the past, there have been instances of people tampering with over the counter medicines like tylenol, and leaving them on the shelves for consumers to take and use. An infamous instance of this that occurred in 1982 resulted in the deaths of seven people.
It is nearly impossible to tamper with pharmaceutical blister packaging without leaving some kind of trace, which makes it a good choice for drug companies who are dedicated to keeping their customers safe.
Pharmaceutical blister packaging is also popular because it is more difficult for children to open than some other types of packaging. This is a huge benefit, because it prevents unsupervised children from accidentally consuming drugs that could cause them harm.
Pharmaceutical blister packaging is great for medical applications because it protects consumers from dangerous tampering and from accidental misuse.
Blister packaging is made up of two main components: the cavity and the backing.
Here are a few of the reasons blister packaging is a popular choice in the pharmaceutical industry.
Controlling DosageIt is important for pharmaceutical companies to ensure that their customers know the proper dosage of a drug when using it.
Blister packaging makes indicating dosage simple and intuitive, as it can be used to divide pills into individual compartments.
Blister packaging helps consumers avoid the potential harm they could suffer from accidentally taking too much of a drug.
Protecting Sensitive ProductSome pharmaceutical products are sensitive to their environments, and can be easily damaged by external factors.
