Pharmaceutical packaging is essential for maintaining drug integrity, safety and efficacy.
Health organisations rely on high-quality packaging to protect their reputation and reliably administer care, while consumers must be able to trust the effectiveness of pharmaceutical packaging for their safety and well-being.
Custom packaging solutions are becoming a necessity as the need for personalised medicine, biologics and specialised delivery systems increases. Organisations should partner with companies that offer custom pharmaceutical packaging to ensure they meet their specific needs and protect against tampering, counterfeiting and environmental factors such as light, moisture and temperature.
Criteria for Selection
The top three packaging companies that offer custom pharmaceutical packaging solutions were evaluated based on the following factors:
● Customisation capabilities: All of the companies on this list offer custom solutions. However, those on the cutting edge of innovation in custom packaging design were favoured
● Sustainability: Companies committed to creating recyclable packaging and reducing waste help organisations meet their sustainability goals and protect the planet
● Regulatory compliance: Compliance is a non-negotiable in health care. Companies must exhibit a rigid adherence to existing regulations. The best options can evolve with their clients as rules change
● Client testimonials: Positive reviews and a successful track record instil confidence in potential new clients.
What packaging companies offer custom pharmaceutical packaging solutions?
Explore the best packaging companies that offer innovative solutions tailored to pharmaceuticals.
- CCL Healthcare
CCL Healthcare has over 38 global facilities that help companies of all sizes access custom pharmaceutical packaging solutions. It consistently pushes itself to offer increasingly innovative and practical solutions to clients. For instance, the provider’s research into packaging for cryogenic materials helps protect items that require storage at extremely low temperatures.
The company’s worldwide network of facilities and 100% digital quality assurance systems result in a high standard of excellent packaging. CCL Healthcare offers various labels, including multi-ply and expanded content labels, and custom-printed Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) cartons. Smart packing solutions, such as RFID, 2D barcodes and e-labels, provide operational oversight and supply chain visibility.
CCL Healthcare stays ahead of the curve by combining sustainability and efficiency goals. One of its recent solutions involves battery-free Bluetooth technology, which uses energy from the surrounding environment to power wireless sensors in packaging labels or materials. The sensors can monitor temperature, humidity and other environmental conditions and send that information to a mobile device.
Key features:
● Tamper-evident labels for additional protection
● RFID-equipped smart labels to track products through supply chains
● Audit-ready, CGMP-compliant printing processes
- MM Packaging
MM Packaging has 25 production sites across 11 countries dedicated to providing custom packaging solutions for the health care industry. From pharmaceutical cartons and fitments to labels and leaflets, the company offers durable, tamper-evident packaging. Bespoke printing allows clients to showcase their brand and achieve more creative designs, while the flexibility for small batches is ideal for smaller businesses or test orders.
Flexo printing and Clear Code are two innovations that make MM Packaging stand out. Flexo printing creates 100% seamless prints with no visible seams or gaps on the image. It makes packaging look more professional, and it is ideal for larger images or continuous patterns.
Clear Code is MM Packaging’s coding system for folding cartons and labels. It uses color-changing tech and lasers to create scuff and smudge-resistant codes that withstand hot, humid, cold or cryogenic conditions. It is also compatible with over 95% of pharma packaging substrates and decreases rejection rates by up to 30% to improve production line efficiency.
Key features:
● Profound Micro-Optics technology to confirm product authenticity
● Technical advisory services to support clients
● Competitive decarbonisation goals and sustainability initiatives
- Comar
Comar has 75 years of experience in pharmaceutical packaging. Its work aligns with federal regulators to ensure its solutions are compliant and safe for pharmaceutical applications. The company’s quality management system conforms to ISO 13485:2016 and ISO 9001:2015 standards.
Clients benefit from Comar’s focus on providing custom solutions to fit unique needs. Its software tools suite and front-end design development experience are only part of its comprehensive packaging development services. It also handles case and pallet fit optimisation, pilot run support, and sustainability evaluations.
Comar’s custom process involves six phases – understanding the client’s needs, ideation, development, design and process optimisation, and manufacturing and distribution. Lastly, the team practices rigorous process improvement by continuously working to refine its methods.
Key features:
● Ecovadis Silver Medal award-winner for commitment to sustainability
● In-line testing to check for leaks, metal and visual defects
● Various secondary and tertiary packaging options for safe transport
Driving innovation in pharmaceutical packaging
Custom pharmaceutical packaging solutions help companies meet their unique needs and offer personalised service to consumers.
Selecting the right partner ensures product integrity, regulatory compliance, and protection against tampering and counterfeiting. Providers that commit to sustainability goals and innovative solutions offer even greater value and represent the future of custom pharmaceutical packaging.
