March 19, 2025

Pharma packaging: How can design and function make a difference?

In the pharmaceutical industry, packaging plays a crucial role. Not only to protect the product, but also to ensure proper application, prevent counterfeiting and create a more patient-friendly experience.

Modern pharma packaging is not just a container — it is part of the user experience and can have a direct impact on patient safety and compliance.

In this blog post, we take a closer look at how design and function can make a difference for pharma packaging.

Security Seal: A Necessity for Safety

Safety is paramount in pharmaceutical packaging. Security sealing is one of the most important functions to protect against counterfeiting and tampering.

Tamper-evident solutions such as holographic seals, foil seals and rupture indicators ensure that the patient can trust that the medication has not been opened or tampered with prior to use.

Patient-friendly pharma packaging: easy-open and smart dosages

Many patients experience difficulties opening medicine packaging, especially the elderly or people with motor difficulties.

Easy-open solutions, such as flip-top lids, perforated films and ergonomically designed blister packs, can make a big difference in the daily use of medicines.

At the same time, smart dosing solutions, such as single-dose packaging and built-in dispensers, help ensure proper dosing and improve patient compliance.

Are you lacking inspiration? Read here and discover innovative sustainable solutions

Color Coding and Visual Elements in Your Pharma Packaging: Clarity and Safety

Color-coding in pharma packaging can help patients and healthcare professionals quickly identify the right medicine.

Here are four additional factors with positive impact:

• It can also avoid mismedication.
• Colors, pictograms and clear instructions on the packaging improve ease of use.
• It reduces the risk of confusion.
• Visual elements such as large fonts and contrasting colors can help visually impaired patients read the information more easily.

What should your pharma packaging NOT do -- four examples:

Here are four reasons for what may constitute poor design in pharma packaging:

• Obscure or confusing instructions: If the user manual is difficult to understand or lacks details, it can lead to improper use of the medicine.
• Lack of color coding or uniform color use: If the packaging does not have clear color codes or uses for similar colors, it can increase the risk of confusion.
• Small or illegible writing: Fonts that are too small or have poor contrast can make it difficult for the elderly or visually impaired in particular to read important information.
• Superfluous or cluttered design: Too many visual elements or unnecessary information can distract and make it harder to find the most critical information.

Innovation in pharma packaging: the solutions of the future

With the advancement of technology, we are seeing an increase in intelligent packaging solutions that can contribute to better medication management.

Examples include packaging with digital sensors that monitor temperature and humidity, as well as NFC technology that allows patients to access digital instruction manuals via their smartphone. Such innovative solutions can optimize medication storage and the patient experience.

Contact Packwise for the right pharma packaging

At Packwise, we are specialists in pharma packaging that meets the highest requirements for safety, functionality and ease of use.

Our expertise in packaging design ensures that your products not only meet regulatory standards, but also create the best experience for the end user.

Do you want a packaging solution that optimises patient safety and supports your product strategy? View our product catalogue or contact us today for a non-binding chat and let us find the right solution together!

These articles could also be relevant:

1. The Stock Exchange: sustainable masterclass

2.

3.

Contact Us

Do you have any questions for us? Please do not hesitate to contact us immediately. Contact us here

Are you looking for something?

We have a lot of different products and packaging.
Explore our product catalogue. Go to product catalog