Pharmaceutical packaging: Key strategies for building supply chain resilience in 2025 & beyond

With patient health and regulatory compliance on the line, pharmaceutical companies must adopt proactive strategies to safeguard both their products and customers, ensuring medications arrive on time, safely.

With cutting-edge technology, reliable partnerships, and innovative processes, pharmaceutical companies can fortify their supply chains against current and future challenges. Read on and discover how.

1. Protect product integrity at every turn

Medications are precision-engineered, and even minor deviations in temperature, moisture, or handling can render them ineffective. The stakes are incredibly high.

A compromised product could mean the difference between effective treatment and a potentially life-threatening situation for patients. So, to mitigate the risks, be sure to:

• Design packaging for precision: Tailor materials to the drug's specific needs, whether it's moisture-resistant, a chilled or frozen packaging solution. Consider the entire lifecycle of the product, from manufacturing to patient use. For instance, a diabetes medication might require packaging that's not only moisture-proof but also easy to open for patients with limited dexterity.
• Monitor environmental conditions: Use sensors to track temperature and humidity in real time during transit, ensuring compliance with stability requirements. Combine with temperature indicators that show physical evidence of exposure to unacceptable temperatures. This is particularly crucial for vaccines and biologics that may degrade rapidly if exposed to temperature fluctuations.
• Prevent physical damage: Invest in shock-absorbent packaging. This is especially important for glass vials or delicate devices like pre-filled syringes. Consider implementing machine vision systems at key points in the supply chain to detect any visible damage or tampering.

2. Achieve end-to-end visibility

Traceability is more than just a buzzword. Modern tools can be used to track individual packages from production to pharmacy shelves, providing unprecedented insight into the supply chain. Without traceability, pharmaceutical companies face serious risk.

From counterfeit issues to important product recalls. Here’s how to avoid costly mistakes and improve visibility across the supply chain.

• Leverage smart packaging: Integrate QR codes or RFID tags to monitor tampering, location, and environmental conditions. These technologies can provide a wealth of data, from tracking a product's journey to verifying its authenticity. For example, a QR code on a medication package could allow patients to check the product's origin and expiration date, enhancing trust and safety.
• Streamline handovers: Use blockchain or centralised platforms to maintain accountability at transition points (e.g., factory to warehouse). This creates a permanent record of each handover, reducing the risk of counterfeits entering the supply chain and enabling rapid identification of any weak points in the process.
• Enable rapid recalls: Build fail-safes to isolate compromised batches while maintaining the supply. In the event of a quality issue, the ability to quickly identify and recall specific batches can save lives and protect brand reputation. Implement systems that can instantly trace affected products and communicate with distributors and healthcare providers.

3. Partner with reliability in mind

Supply chains are only as strong as their weakest link. Vetting partners rigorously is crucial for maintaining the integrity of your pharmaceutical products:

• Verify track records: Do logistics providers have proven expertise in pharmaceutical cold chain management? Look for partners with a history of handling similar products and a deep understanding of Good Distribution Practice (GDP) guidelines. Consider conducting site visits to assess their facilities and processes firsthand.
• Demand transparency: Require regular audits and real-time incident reporting from third-party vendors. Establish clear key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement a quality agreement that outlines expectations and responsibilities. This should include procedures for handling deviations and reporting any issues that could impact product quality.
• Plan for disruptions: Ensure partners have backup routes, storage facilities, and incident protocols for various challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of supply chain resilience.

Pharmaceutical packaging from the experts

Looking to revolutionise your pharmaceutical packaging solution? You’ve come to the right place. The pharmaceutical packaging landscape is rapidly evolving, with innovative technologies and sustainable materials reshaping the industry.

At Swiftpak, we have over 45 years of experience supplying innovative packaging solutions for delicate and high-value products. We understand the sensitive nature of pharmaceuticals and the importance of maintaining product integrity throughout the supply chain.

Speak to our team at Swiftpak today and learn about the cutting-edge solutions we use to address the challenges faced by the pharmaceutical industry.