Pharmaceutical Packaging systems are also classified  in three class as

Type of packaging system According to layers system, classified into 3 groups

1. Primary Packaging

Pharmaceutical Packaging (as per layers of packaging Systems) systems are classified  in three class Primary, secondary & Tertiary.

Primary packaging component are the components which are in direct contact with the Pharmaceutical dosage form, e.g. liners, bottles, desiccant in bottles and blister films.

Primary packaging may have a direct effect on the product shelf-life & protect the drug from the environment (moisture, gases, and light).

Example:- ampoules and vials, prefilled syringes, IV containers, blister packs,  Bottles, liners, desiccant in bottles and Sachet packaging etc.

2. Secondary Packaging

• The secondary packaging system is outside the primary packaging and used to group primary packages together.
• secondary packaging are not in direct contact with the dosage form, e.g. cartons, and overwraps for blisters.
• These components generally provide protection and labelling for the primary container.
• Example: cartons, boxes, shipping containers, injection trays, etc.

3. Tertiary Packaging

A tertiary packaging system is used for bulk handling and shipping e.g., barrel, container, edge protectors, etc

Type of packaging system According to dosage capacity of the container

1. Single-unit container

A single-unit container is one that contains a only a unit quantity of medication which can be used one time.

A single-dose container is a single-unit container designed for parenteral administration only, while a unit-dose container is a single-unit container intended for solid oral dosage forms.

2. Multiple-UNIT container

A multiple-UNIT container is one that encloses multiple doses and permits multiple withdrawals of oral dosage forms, while a multiple-dose container is a multiple-unit container designed for parenteral administration only.

Others different types of containers

1.Light-resistant containers-

Drugs that undergo photo-oxidation need to be packaged in light-resistant containers. Light resistant container protects the contents from the effects of actinic light  by means of opaque covering and/or stored in a dark place (USP standard: Not more than 10% transmission at any wavelength between 290-450 nm).

2.Well-closed containers

Well-closed containers protect their contents from extraneous solids and liquids and from loss of article under normal conditions of handling, storage and distribution.

3.Tight closed container-

For moisture-sensitive drugs, protects the contents from vapors, from loss or deterioration of article from effervescence, deliquescence or evaporation under normal conditions of handling, storage and distribution.

4.Air tight container:

Air tight container is impermeable to solids, liquids and gases under ordinary conditions

5.A hermetic sealed container

A hermetic container is impervious to air or any other gas under normal conditions of handling, storage and distribution. (e.g. one that is “impervious to… gas”) is necessary.

6.Tamper-evident/resistant

Tamper-evident/resistant container is fitted with a device or mechanism that reveals whether the container has been opened.

7.Child resistant container

Child resistant container is one that is difficult for children under 5 years of age to open within a reasonable time and that is not difficult for normal adults to use properly.