Pharmaceutical packaging applications

Papers and boards are used in the following pharmaceutical packaging applications (the list may not be comprehensive) ... 

LDPE is generally used for small volume blow moulded articles, mainly for household, domestic, and pharmaceutical applications. Due to its high purity, LDPE is the preferred raw material for medical and pharmaceutical packaging applications. In the pharmaceutical field, blow moulded articles have a particular importance because they can be filled under sterile conditions immediately after production, while still in the blow moulding machine (blow-fill-seal process). To ensure sterilisation, higher density LDPE is preferred. 

Nylon film has been used increasingly for packaging applications for foodstuffs and pharmaceutical products. The value of nylon in this application is due to low odour transmission and to some extent in the ability to boil-in-the-bag. Film of high brilliance and clarity, particularly from nylon 11, is available for point-of-sale displays. 

Re-usable containers, such as bottles for carbonated soft drinks, made of PEN have high-temperature tolerance for cleaning and sterilizing [79], The inherent UV resistance of PEN creates opportunities for colorless electronic and pharmaceutical packaging, as well as vacuum-metallized products for aerospace, industry and military applications [80, 81]. 

Gudat, A. E., and Firor. R. L. (2006, Sept.),The determination of extractables and leachables in pharmaceutical packaging materials using headspace GC/MS, Application Note, Agilent Technology. 

Colorant systems to be used in food contact, cosmetics, toys, pharmaceutical, and medical applications fall under various governmental regulations. The colorist needs to be familiar with these regulations and select colorants accordingly. Also, some states regulate the use of heavy metal pigments in packaging applications. 

Kiang, P.H. The application of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to the analysis of pharmaceutical packaging materials. J. Parent. Sci. Technol. 1981, 55 (4), 152-161. 

The three metals commonly used in pharmaceutical packaging are tin, aluminum, and steel. Because of its susceptibility to oxidation and corrosion, steel must be galvanized or coated by an epoxy before use, so its application is primarily reserved for drums of bulk material where very high strength is required. Metals can also be formed into pressure cylinders for the containment of gaseous product. ... 

The third class of plastic that is defined in the USP is PP. These containers can be used for oral solids or liquids, making their application among the most versatile of pharmaceutical packaging materials. Specifications are given once again in both the /5 / F3] Code of Federal Regulations PP... 

Other than being used to pack solid dose medication, blisters or bubble packs, as they are often known, may find further applications in pharmaceutical packaging. These may be as a protective overwrap against physical damage, to prevent ingress or egress, to aid display or to act as a tamper-evident/tamper-resistant feature (i.e. packs which are not involved with the solid dosage form). 

Flexible foams also find use is packaging applications. Die-cut flexible foam is used to package costly goods such as delicate instruments, optical products, and pharmaceuticals. Semiflexible foam lining is used for cart interiors to protect auto and machine parts during transportation. 

Ecdel Elastomer is ideal for applications in pharmaceutical packaging where low extractables, toughness, flex crack resistance, and utility in harsh environments are required. ... 

Over the past several decades, polylactide - i.e. poly(lactic acid) (PLA) - and its copolymers have attracted significant attention in environmental, biomedical, and pharmaceutical applications as well as alternatives to petro-based polymers [1-18], Plant-derived carbohydrates such as glucose, which is derived from corn, are most frequently used as raw materials of PLA. Among their applications as alternatives to petro-based polymers, packaging applications are the primary ones. Poly(lactic acid)s can be synthesized either by direct polycondensation of lactic acid (lUPAC name 2-hydroxypropanoic acid) or by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of lactide (LA) (lUPAC name 3,6-dimethyl-l,4-dioxane-2,5-dione). Lactic acid is optically active and has two enantiomeric forms, that is, L- and D- (S- and R-). Lactide is a cyclic dimer of lactic acid that has three possible stereoisomers (i) L-lactide (LLA), which is composed of two L-lactic acids, (ii) D-lactide (DLA), which is composed of two D-lactic acids, and (iii) meso-lactide (MLA), which is composed of an L-lactic acid and a D-lactic acid. Due to the two enantiomeric forms of lactic acids, their homopolymers are stereoisomeric and their crystallizability, physical properties, and processability depend on their tacticity, optical purity, and molecular weight the latter two are dominant factors. 

Thermoplastic polyolefin-based nanocomposites have found applications in the step assist for GM Astro vans and film for food and pharmaceutical packaging. Polycarbonate- and ABS-based nanocomposites can be used for flame retardant computer housing and flame retardant monitor housing. Elastomer-based nanocomposites are finding use in tennis balls. 

Applications and uses roofing and automotive exterior parts, capping distilled water, dairy products, fruit juices, sports drinks, beer, wine and food, cosmetics, toiletries and pharmaceutical packaging, sterilized closures, seals, and liners. 

In tonnage terms, calcium carbonate is completely dominant a few figures are given in Chapter 6. The great majority of calcium carbonate is used in PVC and to a lesser extent unsaturated polyester thermosetting polymer. Much of it is destined for the construction market or the automotive, domestic appliance and household or consumer products industries. New applications include packaging, especially medical and pharmaceutical packaging, biaxially oriented PP film, flexible film, and injection and blow moulded articles. 

---