Packaging

Packaging: 

 Packaging is the science, art and technology of enclosing or protecting products for distribution, storage, sale and use. Packaging also refers to the process of design, evaluation and production of packages.

Labeling: Labeling or package labeling is any written, electronic or graphic communications on the packaging or on a separate but associated label. 

Packaging material: Any material, including printed material, employed in the packaging of a phar­maceutical, but excluding any outer packaging used for transportation or ship­ment. Packaging materials are referred to as primary or secondary according to whether or not they are intended to be in direct contact with the product. 

Types of packaging

There are many types of packaging:

Primary packaging:

 it is the material that first envelops the product and holds it. This is the smallest unit of distribution and it is in direct contact with contents.

•      E.g. ampoules, vials, rubber plugs, bottles, foils, etc.

Secondary packaging:

 it is outside the primary packaging and used to group primary packages together.

•      E.g. cartons, labels,  inserts

Tertiary packaging:

 it is used for bulk handling, warehouse storage and transport shipping.  

•      E.g. external labels, gum tapes, etc.

 There are also classified in following categories:

Printed packaging material: the materials which are printed.

·         E.g. foils, cartons, labels, etc.

They need to be stored in more controlled conditions and need to be handled with extra care because these materials can become a source of mix-ups and misuse.

 Unprinted packaging material: all materials which are not printed when received from the suppliers.