How to choose your medical & pharmaceutical packaging? | RAJA

Packaging for the medical and pharmaceutical sector differs from other packaging because of the requirements of transporting healthcare products. It must be adapted to the temperature, light and sterility needs of your medicines.What are the challenges of packaging for the medical sector? How do you choose the right packaging? Find out about our solutions for successful order picking in the healthcare industry.

Packaging for the healthcare sector: what are the challenges?

Pharmaceutical and medical packaging transports sensitive products with important health requirements. When designing packaging, several criteria must be taken into account.

Maintaining a sterile environment

When it comes to products that are injectable into humans, or to materials that are subject to analysis, there must be no particles present. In the pharmaceuticals industry , it is essential

to

select

	Our high security plastic bottle is ideal for transporting and storing chemical products in paste, powder or gel form. The screw cap is tamper evident to ensure the safety of your products. Made from HDPE plastic, this bottle is strong and leak proof.
	Our wide-mouth plastic drum is suitable for transporting solid, pasty and powdery products. The screw-on lid ensures that the drum is watertight and airtight.
	Our opaque white square plastic canister is easy to open and close thanks to the screw-on lid, and the stopper prevents the products from evaporating.

packaging suitable for the cold chain

	You can use a rigid cold accumulator for the transport of medicines with a temperature maintenance requirement. This reusable product maintains its contents at positive or negative temperatures (down to -20°C) and can be easily added to a main packaging.
	The accumulator can be placed in our Isostar® isothermal box, available in 5 references, which is very effective against temperature changes, depending on the number of cold accumulators used. This box is made of polystyrene, and covered with metallised polyethylene, giving it a double wall of protection and an attractive appearance for the product.
	If you don’t want to use plastic packaging, you can choose our Cool® insulated cardboard box. It maintains good insulation, even over long periods of time. The internal cushioning system prevents the cardboard from coming into direct contact with the products and the cold accumulators: there is no risk of moisture on the packaging. The cardboard box and the polystyrene panels are fully recyclable

bags suitable for pharmaceutical transport

	Our self-adhesive isothermal bag is an equivalent to the isothermal crate, suitable for small products. The bag retains the temperature to avoid thermal shock to the products during transport. It is resistant thanks to its internal polyethylene foam padding.
	The plastic bag with transparent zip allows the transport of medicines or samples for analysis at room temperature. It is very practical to use with its two pockets: one for the samples, and one for a possible accompanying document. This bag is also recyclable after sorting and collection in the company.
	To ensure confidentiality in a pharmaceutical environment, choose a plastic bag with an opaque black zip. It is easy to open and close and can be reused many times. This product is made from 50% recycled plastic.

aluminium containers

Available in a variety of sizes, the aluminium bottle offers optimum protection against impact or puncture. It has a tamper-evident closure and the aluminium material is food safe. This product has received UN approval for the transport of hazardous liquids.

other products you may need in your healthcare logistics

In the healthcare sector, hygiene must be impeccable, including during the order picking phase

	You can require powder-free latex gloves to be worn in your order picking warehouse. These gloves protect not only the products, but also your logistics staff. The gloves are made of bio-based latex.
	Consider providing your employees with hydroalcoholic and hygienic gels. This type of product is available in a convenient pump bottle and does not require rinsing. You can add a hygiene point at each picking station.
	Antiseptic wipes are the right product for effective cleaning of surfaces in contact with medical or pharmaceutical products.

the pharmaceutical industry is subject to specific guidelines in terms of sanitary cleanliness. You can ask your employees to wear a cap, a beard cover or a smock to avoid contamination in the packages. You can also use health hazard signs or tape markings in your factory to identify safety distances or areas where risky products are handled. You now have the keys to choosing your medical & pharmaceutical packaging. Find even more products suitable for the healthcare sector on the RAJA online shop.