In the pharmaceutical sector, packaging is no longer just a container: it has become an interface that guides patients in the safe and correct use of medication. In a rapidly growing OTC and self-care medication market, functional aspects, from ergonomics to usability, affect therapeutic adherence and perception of quality. In this scenario, the aluminum tube remains a technical and sustainable benchmark, while the innovation of the soft nozzle developed by Tubettificio Perfektüp demonstrates how functionality can make a difference.
From container to guide: the human-centered shift in functional pharmaceutical packaging
In OTCs, patients are often alone in the last mile of use: opening the package, correctly dosing the medication, applying or taking it are not obvious actions, especially for those with temporary or permanent disabilities. It is not surprising that regulators and industry are pushing for human-centered design (designing with real-world abilities, limitations, and contexts of use in mind) for safety and efficacy. The FDA guidance on the subject has consolidated a usability engineering approach throughout the development cycle.
Other industry research also links patient-centric packaging and adherence to therapy: when the therapeutic gesture is intuitive and comfortable, therapeutic adherence improves significantly.
The pharmaceutical market between OTC and self-care medication
The global market for pharmaceutical packaging is growing rapidly: estimated at $146–153 billion in 2024, it could exceed $340–390 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of around 9–11%. In this context, self-medication drugs are those most affected by the evolution of pharmaceutical packaging in a functional sense: not all drugs prescribed by doctors are self-medication drugs, but those sold freely in pharmacies or supermarkets certainly are. In this market segment, therefore, the search for packaging solutions that can improve product usability is particularly important, not least because it can really be a differentiating factor for pharmaceutical companies, encouraging patients to choose one product over another.
In Europe, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs represent around €30 billion in 2024 and are constantly increasing. This growth is driven not only by self-medication products in the strict sense, but also by the broader category of self-care medication: supplements, preventive treatments, devices, and products for everyday health. This segment targets more aware consumers who choose independent care solutions and fuels demand for packaging that is intuitive, safe, and easy to use even without direct medical supervision.
Ophthalmic tube with Perfektüp soft nozzle: functionality as a differentiating feature
There is one sector in which functional innovation in pharmaceutical packaging is particularly important: the ophthalmic sector. In this sub-segment, ophthalmic packaging is worth approximately $1.8 billion (2024) and is growing at a CAGR of 5.4% towards 2034, driven by an aging population and the consequent increase in eye diseases. Here, the functionality of packaging is not an extra: it literally coincides with the user experience. In the case of ophthalmic ointments in tubes, a nozzle that is too hard can cause anxiety during application, not to mention the risk of micro-trauma or incorrect dosages. The presence of a soft nozzle at the end of the tube, on the other hand, guides the hand, promotes correct contact with the periocular area, and aids self-administration.
The soft ophthalmic nozzle applied to the Perfektüp aluminum tube is a concrete example of functional innovation. Awarded the 2015 Packaging Oscar, this solution is now used in sensitive areas such as ophthalmology, pediatrics, veterinary medicine, and dermatology.
The result is a more comfortable application, precise dosing, and a guided motion that reduces the difficulties of self-medication. Behind this innovation is a production and quality system that meets the highest pharmaceutical standards:
- Anti-tampering seals made of PET plastic, the most recyclable material
- Sterile options: supply of tubes that have already been irradiated, with dedicated packaging for filling in a sterile area;
- Quality System: ISO 9001:2015, GMP, in-process and end-of-line checks, DMF Type III registered with the FDA;
- digital workflows for batch traceability; documentary support and assistance from our internal Quality Department;
- real-time information on order status and related documentation accessible 24/7 from the reserved area on our portal, accessible via a simple login.
Pharmaceutical packaging solutions such as aluminum ophthalmic tubes with soft nozzle demonstrate that innovation can truly translate into simpler, more intuitive, and safer actions. This innovation ultimately stems from tradition: the aluminum tube is an “evergreen” in pharmaceutical packaging. It offers a total barrier to light and air, guarantees impermeability, and allows for controlled dispensing down to the last drop, without waste. Added to this is a fundamental characteristic for today’s market, namely sustainability: aluminium is infinitely recyclable without loss of quality and with lower energy consumption than production from raw materials.
For ointments and creams, aluminium tubes combine functionality and environmental friendliness, responding to the growing demand from companies and consumers for reliable “green” solutions.
The demand for over-the-counter medicines is growing in Europe and around the world, and with it, expectations for ease of use and perceived safety are also growing. For companies, including functional aspects in packaging at the design stage is not just a choice of quality: it is a strategic lever that makes the product more competitive and the patient experience more peaceful.
Would you like more information on this subject? Contact us: we will be happy to send you a sample of tubes!
