Pharma packaging on the increase

US demand for pharmaceutical packaging is forecast to increase by 7.0% per annum, taking the market from $7.87bn (E6.38bn) in 2005 to $11.05bn (E8.96bn) in 2010. Analysts at Freedonia Group said the strongest influences on growth will come from new regulations and standards for patient drug compliance, drug dispensing errors, and drug counterfeiting and diversion.

Strongest growth is expected in blister packaging, which will increase by 8.4% annually to reach $2.40bn (E1.94bn) in 2010. Plastic bottles, with their versatility and design improvements, will also do well in the next four years, rising by 8.2% annually to $2.19bn (E1.77bn). Prefillable inhalers and syringes will generate the fastest growth opportunities, said Freedonia. It also noted favourable increases in the market for child-resistant, senior friendly and dispensing closures.