Medicines can come in a variety of packaging types, usually defined by product quantity and medicine form, i.e. capsules or liquid. The main types of packaging for pharmaceutical goods includes blister packs (preformed plastic/foil packaging for solid tablets) and bottles, made from plastic or glass.
This guide to using bottles for medicine packaging will highlight aspects to consider as well as tips for using bottles. As bottle filling experts across multiple sectors, Fillcon are the filling specialists in the South West with the experience and machine capabilities to provide a range of services.
Bottles have long been used for medicine, especially glass. Throughout history, particularly in the 19th century with the advent of prescription bottles, glass bottles have been used to house both liquid and solid medicines. Glass was a popular material choice not just because of its availability, but also because it has few reactions with other substances.
When pills were powdery and less solid, cotton balls would be inserted in the bottle to cushion the pills and prevent them crumbling. Now, modern pills are coated and less susceptible to breaking, so the cotton ball is less common.
Medicine Bottle Shape
Although shape is up to the producers’ creative choices, liquid medicine bottles are commonly in the ‘syrop’ style – meaning syrup in French. Other medicine bottle shapes/styles include the prescription pill bottle; shorter with a wide neck for easy retrieval; and the vaccine bottle; a very small glass bottle.
See more: 8 Benefits of Using Bottles for Project Packaging
Medicine Bottle Material
As stated above, glass has historically been the medicine bottle material of choice as it has good barrier properties and does not react with substances contained in it.
Plastic has become more popular over the last century as a packaging material for medicine and more. The affordances of plastic, such as the fact it is lightweight, durable and extremely malleable, make it a common packaging material.
Both materials are durable, effective at protecting contents, and strong. Though more care may have to be taken with glass, glass bottles may be preferred for medicine due to recyclability.
Medicine Bottle Colour
Medicine bottles can come in a variety of colours, often depending on the contents or material.
It is common for glass to be tinted orange or brown as these colours prevent ultraviolet light from damaging contents via photochemical reactions. Blue and green tints are also often found, especially for natural oils, essences or supplements.
Plastic medicine bottles can be any colours, however white is the most common as it appears clinical. Clear plastic isn’t usually found for medicine, but this can instil trust in consumers if they can see contents. Clear bottles for medicine may also not be ideal for medicines sensitive to light.
Medicine Bottle Closure
Medicine may be distributed for positive, healing effects, however in the wrong hands or taken in the wrong quantity, medicine could be harmful, for example to children. This is why many medicine bottles have ‘child resistant’ closures, whereby users must press down and then twist the cap. Regulations (i.e. ISO 8317: Child-resistant packaging – Requirements and testing procedure for reclosable packages) ensure medicines are not easily accessible by children.
Closures on medicine bottles are also important for protecting the contents from spoiling. Aside from the lock closure, other common closures include screw tops, pumps or atomisers, for example for hay fever spray medication.
Tips for Using Bottles for Medicines
Here are some top tips when using bottles as medicine packaging:
- Ensure compliance – for example with child-resistant closures.
- Consider sealing – some medicine bottles may have a foil inner seal to keep contents fresher in the event the lid is removed prematurely.
- Use labels – medicines must have clear, informative labels on their bottles. Usually, prescription medicine has a very information-heavy label and also an insert inside the bottles.
- Stay sanitised – when filling medicine bottles, the environment must be sterile and with no chance of cross contamination.
- Consider disposal – consumers are evermore environmentally conscious and therefore may prefer certain packaging materials. Plastic pill bottles are not widely recyclable but may be accepted. Glass, on the other hand, is more widely recycled.
Find out more about eco-packaging here.
Get Started with Fillcon
Here at Fillcon, we have the machine capabilities to fill liquids, creams, serums, oils and more in dose sizes from 0.5ml up to 200ml. We have experience across multiple sectors, from automotive and industrial, to cosmetics and medical, providing specialist expertise to every project we take on.
Quality and customer satisfaction are extremely important to us, reflected by our ISO 9001 standard and many quality ensuring procedures, including pressure testing, vacuum testing, weight monitoring and regular visual inspections. Not only do we concentrate on creating fit for market products, but also maintaining immaculate conditions at our facilities, ensuring cleanliness for products with TVC tests and regular cleaning.
If you are looking for filling services with cleanliness and customer satisfaction ensured, for medical or any other sector products, contact Fillcon today.
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