Protecting medicines in summer: primary packaging makes a difference

It’s summertime and many have already packed their bags, ready to enjoy some well-deserved time in the sun and rest. But watch out for the medicines we take with us. During the summer months, pharmaceutical products are subjected to increased environmental stress, such as constant exposure to high temperatures, strong direct light and humidity. A combination that particularly affects medicines in cream or gel form, such as ointments and salves. Exposure to direct sunlight, in particular, puts a strain on the stability of the compound. In this scenario, the primary packaging can no longer be considered a simple container: it becomes a functional component of the drug itself, called upon to guarantee protection, efficacy and safety. Even in the summer sun.

Medicines in summer: real risks for stability

As we know, most medicines must be stored at temperatures below 25 °C (except in cases where it is even explicitly required to be refrigerated). High exposure to sunlight can produce adverse effects that vary depending on the medicine’s formulation. Among the most common mechanisms are

• Oxidation: reactions with atmospheric oxygen that can alter the structure of the active ingredient and affect its efficacy;
  
• Hydrolysis: breaking of chemical bonds and loss of moisture
• Physical changes: such as melting, evaporation or changes in crystallinity, which can affect the stability of the product and its applicability (and therefore also the correct dosage).

This is where primary pharmaceutical packaging comes in, called upon to protect the medicine and maintain its efficacy. 

Pharmaceutical packaging: a protective barrier

Pharmaceutical packaging cannot be considered a simple container: it must act as an active and intelligent barrier. In particular, it must guarantee

• complete shielding from light
• protection against oxygen and moisture;

All this while maintaining practicality and manageability, indispensable for correct dispensing, especially in self-medication situations.

Aluminium tubes: the safest solution for topical medicines in summer 

Aluminium drug tubes offer several advantages over other types of packaging:

• Total oxygen barrier;
• 100% UV and visible light protection;
• Protection from ambient humidity;
• Interior coated with inert resins (also available in the new bisphenol-free compound , as required by the new EU legislation);
• Possibility of sterilisation according to various methods (such as Gamma-Ray irradiation or the EtO-Ethylene Oxide method).
  

These features make the Aluminium tube the optimal solution to preserve the stability and safety of the drug.

Pharmaceutical packaging: when the market is really ‘hot

Regulatory bodies, from the FDA to the EMA, require stability tests in extreme climatic conditions. It is essential to assess the compatibility between compound , packaging and target markets from the drug development phase, as also required by many regulatory bodies (such as the EMA and FDA).

Tubettificio Perfektüp’s in-house Quality Control team is able to assist companies in this process, offering assistance and support in the regulatory process; we will be with you in choosing the optimal diameter and format. Thanks to our tube printing, we can offer you various possibilities to maximise the value of your brand. 

Medication storage: communicating to the end user

The protection of medicines in summer also poses a communication challenge: that towards the end user, who, especially in temperate zones, tends to underestimate the risks of direct exposure to the sun. And this, unfortunately, is particularly true for medicines and parapharmaceuticals ‘on the go’, i.e. designed to be carried with you (who doesn’t have an anti-pain or anti-contracture ointment in their trekking bag?). 

This is why, in addition to choosing the Aluminium tube as the optimal solution, some pharmaceutical companies have started to differentiate their leaflets, where they give more detailed information on the storage of ointments and pharmaceutical ointments in summer (e.g. ‘In temperatures above 30 °C, store the medicine in a refrigerated place. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. If you take the medicine with you, use a cooler bag.” Etc.)

A simple guideline such as this can improve communication with the patient and help them to better manage their medication routine even in summer.

A trusted partner to protect your medication, even in summer

With the increasingly hot and prolonged summers, it is no longer enough to rely on the dear and familiar standard solutions. Pharmaceutical packaging must be rethought to ensure consistent performance whatever the conditions. Aluminium tubes, due to their intrinsic properties, are the best technical option available to protect drugs from sunlight, strengthen brand positioning and meet increasingly stringent sustainability requirements. 

Relying on a specialised partner with over 90 years of experience in pharmaceutical packaging means turning a critical issue into a competitive opportunity.

Contact us to evaluate together the most suitable solution for your needs.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

What are the difficulties in storing medicines in summer?
Direct exposure to sunlight can alter the stability of the compound , reduce its efficacy or change its appearance. In some cases by-products may be generated that produce undesirable side effects.

Why is Aluminium the best choice for sunlight-sensitive pharmaceutical ointments?
Because it provides a total barrier against light, oxygen and moisture, keeping the compound  stable even in summer.

What are the advantages of the Aluminium tube for the pharmaceutical sector?
In addition to protection, it is recyclable, lightweight, impact resistant and can be customised in various sizes and diameters. 

What practical advantages does the Aluminium tube for ointments and creams offer?

• Total protection of contents 
• Absence of air in the container (important for stability)
• Precise dosing and dispensing
• Easy to clean and maintain
• Can be used down to the last drop
• Light and unbreakable packaging