Follow these guidelines for your custom pharmaceutical packaging.

Just like any other industry, the pharmaceutical industry must always consider the look and feel of packaging. That being said, designing custom pharmaceutical packaging boxes may take a bit more ingenuity because of standards set forth by the FDA and the industry. Here are some simple design and packaging guidelines, including those you should follow and those you must follow:

Eye-Catching Visuals

There are no specific visual rules for pharmaceutical packaging design, so you have plenty of options. What you want to do is create an eye-catching package that isn’t too  “busy” and promotes your brand identity. If you can create something that allows consumers to recognize your brand, you’ll always stay one step ahead. Remember you also need to make sure that labeling is clear and not disrupted by any visual elements.

Suitable for Intended Use

It’s important to understand primary packaging refers to packaging that comes into direct contact with a pharmaceutical item. This is like a blister pack). Secondary packaging doesn’t have direct contact (such as a box). According to regulations set forth by the FDA, both primary and secondary materials must be “suitable for intended use.” This means the packaging should protect the product’s form of dosage and be compatible with that particular form of dosage.

Legible Label that Stays in Place

More than any other products, pharmaceutical items must have a legible label so as to prevent misuse or abuse. Pharma label printing should be easy to read for those with even moderately good vision. This label must also be physically adhered to the pharmaceutical product well enough that it will stay in place during regular usage. It’s also a good idea to make the info easily accessible online in case the label is physically damaged.

Required Label Information

As you’ve noticed, pharmaceutical packaging boxes that contain medication include a wealth of information. Some of this is voluntary, but certain elements are required by the FDA. There are a few caveats involved, but in general, these labeling requirements must be followed:

• Official product name
• Directions for use
• Dosage
• Active/inactive ingredients
• Warnings

Protection from Degradation

Designing a package that’s attractive to consumers is one thing. You need to ensure that the packaging materials protect the products from degradation. In other words, when dealing with a product that might be prone to contaminants such as moisture and dust, it needs to be hermetically sealed. This will prevent the efficacy of drugs from being affected, thereby protecting recipients from intended harm.

Track and Trace Solutions

In order to keep your supply chain secure and combat counterfeit drugs, product packaging for pharmaceuticals should incorporate track and trace solutions. This can be done a variety of ways. These include labels that use a dyed substrate and/or holographic labels with intentional imperfections. You can even go so far as to embed traceable components into the label such as the ones offered by BitSecure and other security companies. This can also help you identify potential weaknesses so that you can solidify your security procedures.

Contact Color Pages for Pharmaceutical Packaging Boxes

The graphic designers at Color Pages can assist you with creating custom pharmaceutical packaging boxes and any other design needs. We’ll work closely with you on your next project to help make it a success. If you’d like more design tips or are ready to place an order for our printing services, give our experts a call at (727) 530-3370 today to schedule a free consultation.