Primary packaging is the element that comes into direct contact with the product. Its role, already important in itself, becomes crucial when what it contains requires high standards of protection, preservation and safety such as pharmaceutical products. This is why it is crucial not to take this issue for granted, but instead to delve into it.
What are primary and secondary packaging?
Before gettind into the specifics of primary packaging, let us have a closer look to what characterizes and differentiates it from secondary packaging. As we have mentioned, primary packaging is the material that comes into direct contact with the pharmaceutical product and performs essential functions, including:
- Protection: safeguards the drug from external agents that may alterate it, like moisture, light and oxygen.
- Preservation: maintains the chemical and physical stability of the drug during its shelf-life.
- Safety: provides anti-counterfeiting measures and ensures product integrity.
- Application: facilitates the correct use of the drug.
- Distribution: a light and strong primary packaging such as aluminium is easier to transport (it is not likely to break in case of bumps and falls, unlike glass) and is more sustainable (trucks consume less fuel if the load is less heavy).
Primary packaging is designed to protect the product and preserve its quality, ensuring that it remains safe for consumption or end use. In the pharmaceutical industry, primary packaging must meet strict safety and quality standards to prevent contamination and ensure the integrity of the drug (medicine?).
Secondary packaging, on the other hand, is the material used to group or contain the primary packaging. It facilitates product handling, storage and shipping. In the pharmaceutical sector, examples of secondary packaging are cardboard boxes containing Aluminium tubes or vials, and multipacks. Secondary packaging usually also includes branding and consumer information elements, such as instructions for use, warnings and, of course, package leaflets.
The choice of primary packaging is a crucial step especially for a demanding sector like Pharma: it is essential to choose safe materials that provide an effective barrier against air, light, temperature changes and moisture. Our Aluminium Perfektüp Tubes are particularly suitable for this sector precisely because of these intrinsic characteristics of the material they are made of. In addition, the tube has the advantage of allowing the application of ointment or gel without the need to dip your fingers or a spatula into it, which remain possible vehicles for bacteria, even if they have been carefully cleaned.
Primary packaging: recycling and sustainability
The pharmaceutical packaging sector is constantly evolving, driven by technological innovation, market demands and a new attention to sustainability.
But packaging, even pharmaceutical packaging, has a significant impact on waste generation. For the European Union, this represents one of the most important challenges in terms of sustainability. Through its Agenda 2030 and 2050 goals, the EU encourages industry to adopt more sustainable solutions to reduce its ecological footprint. In this context, Aluminium continues to offer innovative solutions and competitive advantages for companies in all sectors, pharmaceuticals in the lead.
Tubettificio Perfektüp always had sustainability as a core value: we have chosen Aluminium as the only material for our tubes because it is environmentally friendly by nature, since it can be 100% recycled indefinitely without losing its original properties. In addition, recycling Aluminium uses up to 95% less energy than producing Aluminium from raw material. It is estimated that about 75% of Aluminium produced worldwide to date is still in use.
The production of Aluminium tubes from recycled material is a real possibility to lighten the impact of packaging on the environment. Its use is subject to precise rules, especially in the pharmaceutical sector, where harder regulations lead to a preference for packaging from raw material or, in some cases, PIR to guarantee greater purity and safety (for secondary packaging there is more flexibility).
The role of primary packaging in pharmaceutical marketing
Primary packaging can play a key role in pharmaceutical marketing and, for OTC drugs, on the final purchase decision by the user. Especially with regard to aspects of functionality, ease of use and storage. Well-designed packaging can:
- Improving Brand Awareness through distinctive and recognisable design. If sometimes on the shelf it is the secondary packaging that has the first contact with the consumer, it is the tube (primary packaging) that remains on the bedside table and bathroom shelf: an ongoing brand presence that can strengthen the relationship with the client through a positive user experience.
- Making it easier to recognise the drug: this is especially important when several drugs have to be used on a daily basis. This applies both to patients, especially the elderly, and to care givers and healthcare staff, who often work at a fast pace. Being able to distinguish at a glance which medicine to use is a great help and avoids unpleasant situations.
- Increasing consumer confidence by ensuring perceived quality and safety.
- Facilitate product use through ergonomic and intuitive solutions.
Primary packaging, therefore, is not just a functional element, but a strategic component in the end user’s purchasing process. Ensuring protection, safety, ease of use, clear information and a good purchasing experience is essential to positively influence the consumer’s decision and build loyalty over time. While this is evident for over-the-counter drugs, for doctor-prescribed drugs (thus where the consumer’s choice is guided) packaging has the task of conveying reliability, ensuring integrity and make its use safer and easier.
Primary pharmaceutical packaging: what future?
The future of primary packaging in the pharmaceutical industry will see an increasing use of advanced technologies and sustainable materials, thus responding to the needs of an ever-changing market that is increasingly focused on patient health and environmental protection. Continuous innovation and a focus on sustainability are crucial to meet the industry’s future challenges. Tubettificio Perfektüp has made these two fundamental aspects of its corporate vision. If you would like to know more, please contact us: we will be happy to listen to your needs and send you a tube sample.
