Market Trends of North America Pharmaceutical Blister Packaging Industry
Plastic Blister Packaging to Witness Growth in the Region
- The fundamental characteristic of blister packages is the capability of sealing individual tablets or capsules within dedicated cavities for each dose. It is typically made of thermo-formed plastics or cold-form processes to protect the drug from contaminants such as moisture, oxygen, and even light by utilizing the plastic film barrier.
- Track and trace solutions integrated with blister packaging applications drive the market as they can trace an individual product dose back to a single blister cavity. They also give the manufacturer, pharmacists, and patients a mechanism to verify and confirm if their product is authentic.
- The steady growth of the pharmaceutical industry is pushing the demand-supply curve upward, and various guidelines for pharmaceutical packaging are also catalyzing blister packaging manufacturers' change. For instance, per FDA guidelines, pharmaceutical packaging must have features that avert mix-ups and cross-contamination and specify processes for examining packaging for suitability before packaging operations, a measure met by blister packaging.
- The aging population is increasing rapidly and is expected to continue during the forecast period, leading to high demand for pharmaceuticals and market growth. The rising incidence of chronic diseases such as cancer and infectious diseases and the aging population needing advanced and patient-friendly packaging is also expected to drive the blister packaging market during the forecast period. Blister packaging is a convenient and easy-to-use packaging format for solid oral medicines. This is especially accurate for older patients who often have difficulty opening medicine bottles.
- According to ChildStats and the US Census Bureau, the share of the old age population in 2022 was 17.3%, increasing from 16.9% in 2021. The share is anticipated to increase to 20.6% by 2030. The rise in the country's senior population is expected to further drive the demand for elder care, leveraging the demand for pharmaceutical blister packaging during the forecast period.
The United States to be the Fastest-growing Country
- Blister packaging is noticing growth in the country. The high safety offered by blister packaging solutions raises the demand for these solutions. An increase in over-the-counter drugs is also a driving factor in the market.
- In April 2024, Pharmaworks, a Promach product brand, debuted its new capability to handle recyclable, mono-material packaging films on its blister machines at Interphex. The company will provide upgrades for installed Pharmaworks blister machines in the field. It can rebuild blister machines from other suppliers to handle these new sustainable films. As North America's blister machine manufacturer, the company is helping improve sustainability by ensuring its equipment is compatible with the new mono-base and mono-lid materials.
- The market is witnessing growth with benefits offered by blister packaging, including helping patients efficiently manage their medication schedules. The individual compartments enable verification of whether a dose has been taken or missed, thereby reducing the possibility of medication errors. Blister pack packaging finds usage for medications requiring precise dosing, like birth control pills, and over-the-counter products, such as vitamins and supplements. Additionally, it is frequently employed in hospitals to dispense medications to patients.
- In March 2023, Adare Pharma Solutions, a contract development and manufacturing organization, announced it had chosen Vantage Solutions to lead a significant upgrade of its pharmaceutical packaging capabilities. Vantage's upgrades will allow Adare to serve its clients’ needs at its FDA-registered packaging facility in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The site delivers a full range of solid-dose contract packaging services at clinical and commercial scales, including blister packs and other products.
- According to Lakeside Pharmacy, blister packs provide a safe and convenient way to take the prescribed medication. Each day, any medication patients need is separated from the rest into small packs, making it a suitable choice. According to the Drug Channels Institute, the leading pharmacies in the United States in 2023 based on prescription revenue was topped by CVS Health Corporation, which was USD 159.4 billion, and Walgreens Boots Alliance took the second position with USD 91.1 billion in the same year.