Containers suppository strip

Many users find it difficult to open suppository strips. Especially for patients with a limited hand function suppository strips are a very difficult container to use (see Sect. 24.4.21). The pharmacy can help those patients by taking the suppositories out of the forms and package them in ajar. 

Some of the requirements contradict each other, so it is difficult to meet all the requirements. To protect against light non-transparent plastic is necessary. A printed text can be read better on a non-transparent plastic. Nontransparent plastic however hinders the possibility to assess the contents of the suppository forms. Pharmacy-filled suppository strips therefore often have a layer of transparent plastic on one side and a layer of non-transparent plastic on the other side. The secondary container should thus protect against light if necessary. 

Suppository strips for pharmacy preparations often consist of aPVC-polyethylene laminate PVC has the advantage that it shows relatively little permeability to water vapour and oxygen. It has the disadvantage that it always contains softeners that could migrate into the suppository. In the case of polyethylene the permeability to water vapour is comparable to that of PVC, but the permeability to oxygen is greater. The used polyethylene does not release additives. 

Suppository strips used for pharmacy preparations usually contain 12 suppository forms per strip. They are available in the volumes of 1.15 mL (for small children), 2.3 mL and 2.8 mL. Although other plastics are possible, many suppository strips are made of PVC-polyethylene laminate the PVC-layer is situated on the outside of the forms and has a thickness of 95 pm, the polyethylene layer is situated on the suppository side of the forms and has a thickness of 75 pm. 

Opening a package in the right way may require explanation (e.g. eye drop bottles, suppository strips, orally disintegrating tablets). Sometimes a user may prefer a specific container, for instance a jar instead of a tube for ointments. 

Suppositories and pessaries that are not filled directly in strips (their primary container) if necessary suppositories can first be packaged separately in aluminium foil... 

A jar can be used as secondary container for single dose oral powders in powder paper or sachets, and for suppositories and pessaries in strips. 

Suppositories in strips pose an impossible barrier to patients with limited hand function. The container is too small to... 

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