Pharmaceutical packaging on growth curve

World demand for pharmaceutical packaging is projected to increase 5.9% per annum to reach $34.3bn in 2011, up from $25.8bn in 2006, according to Freedonia Group.

The US research group said demand for primary pharmaceutical containers will rise by 6.5% annually to nearly $24bn in 2011.

Prefillable inhalers and prefillable syringes will generate the fastest growth opportunities, based on performance advantages in drug delivery and the introduction of new bio-engineered medicines. But plastic bottles will claim the largest share of demand.

Freedonia said the world market for pharmaceutical closures and accessories will grow by 4.5% per annum to hit $10.6bn in 2011. It cited good potential in: child-resistant, senior-friendly and dispensing closures; compliance-enhanced prescription containers; high visibility labels; and tamper-evident and anti-counterfeit accessories.

The North American market is forecast to grow by 6.6% annually to $12.5bn in 2011. Its drug-producing sector is expected to introduce therapies that have specialised packaging needs.

Growth in Western Europe is set to be 4.5% annually up to 2011 when demand is forecast at $10.8bn. This will reflect upgraded government standards requiring unit dose, high barrier and anti-counterfeit packaging.