Pharmaceutical Packaging Solutions
Pharmaceutical products require packaging that meets strict regulatory requirements, protects product integrity, and provides clear information to patients and healthcare providers. Teal Packaging manufactures compliant packaging for prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, medical devices, and health supplements.
Our materials and processes address FDA requirements, USP standards, and good manufacturing practices essential for pharmaceutical applications.
Regulatory Compliance and Materials
All pharmaceutical packaging must protect products from contamination, moisture, light, and physical damage while clearly identifying contents and providing required information. We use FDA-approved materials including:
- Pharmaceutical-grade paperboard
- Corrugated fiberboard
- Coated stocks appropriate for direct contact or secondary packaging applications. Materials are tested for compatibility with pharmaceutical products
- Meet requirements for migration
- Extractables
- Leachables
Our inks and coatings comply with FDA regulations for indirect food contact (21 CFR 175.300) and pharmaceutical applications. We use low-migration inks that don't transfer compounds to packaged products. Coatings provide moisture barriers, grease resistance, or heat-sealing properties without introducing contaminants.
All materials maintain certificates of compliance and full traceability through our supply chain.
Package Types and Applications
Folding cartons serve as secondary packaging for blister packs, bottles, tubes, and ampules. These boxes display required drug facts panels, dosage instructions, warnings, and NDC codes. We accommodate complex artwork requirements including:
- Multi-language text
- Barcodes
- Serial numbers
- Variable data printing for lot tracking
Child-resistant features can be integrated through specialized closure designs.
Cartons for medical devices provide sterile barrier system protection when combined with appropriate inner packaging (Tyvek pouches, thermoformed trays). We design boxes that maintain sterility until point of use, include clear opening instructions, and display sterilization indicators.
Sizes range from small single-use device packaging to larger kits containing multiple components.
Corrugated shipping containers protect pharmaceutical products during distribution. These boxes meet ISTA testing protocols for distribution hazards and maintain temperature control when used with insulated liners or gel packs.
We can integrate temperature indicators, tamper-evident seals, and handling instructions for cold chain management.
Information Display and Labeling
Pharmaceutical packaging must communicate extensive information in limited space. Required elements include product name and strength, active ingredients, indications and usage, dosage and administration, warnings and precautions, adverse reactions, storage conditions, manufacturer information, lot numbers, and expiration dates.
We work with regulatory specialists and designers to ensure compliant layouts that remain readable and organized.
Barcode requirements for pharmaceutical supply chain traceability include NDC barcodes, GS1 DataMatrix codes for serialization, and lot/expiration date encoding. We verify
barcode quality through GS1 standards verification to ensure scanability at every point in the distribution chain. Variable data printing capabilities allow unique serialization for each package unit.
Pricing and Minimum Orders
Minimum order quantity is 100 units for custom pharmaceutical packaging. Pricing reflects the specialized materials, compliance documentation, and quality verification required. A basic folding carton (3x2x4 inches) with full-color printing and required pharmaceutical information runs approximately $0.85-$1.25 per unit at 1,000 quantity.
Cartons with specialized coatings, child-resistant features, or complex die-cuts range from $1.50-$2.50 per unit. Production turnaround is 15-20 business days after final artwork approval and compliance verification.
Quality Assurance and Documentation
Pharmaceutical packaging requires rigorous quality verification. Our processes include incoming material inspection with certificates of analysis, in-process quality checks during printing and assembly, and final inspection before shipment.
We maintain batch records, retain samples from each production run, and provide certificates of compliance with material specifications.
For GMP-compliant customers, we offer:
- Enhanced documentation including material certifications
- Process validation records
- Change control procedures. Our facility follows good documentation practices with controlled procedures
- Training records
- Equipment calibration logs
We can support customer audits and regulatory inspections.
Serialization and Track-and-Trace
The Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) requires serialization for prescription drugs at the package and case levels. We offer:
- Variable data printing capabilities for unique serial numbers
- 2D DataMatrix barcodes
- Human-readable information
Our systems can integrate with your serialization software to ensure data integrity from print to application.
Aggregation of serialized units into cases and pallets requires coordination between packaging levels. We can print case-level codes that link to individual package serial numbers, maintaining the pedigree chain through distribution.
For very high-volume serialization, we recommend partnering with contract packaging operations equipped with inline vision systems and automated verification.
Child-Resistant Packaging
Products requiring child-resistant packaging under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act need specialized closure mechanisms. While we don't manufacture plastic bottles or closures directly, we design folding cartons with child-resistant features including:
- Complex opening sequences
- Blister packs that require tool-assisted opening
- Outer boxes that serve as secondary child-resistant barriers
Testing through certified labs verifies compliance with CPSC requirements (16 CFR 1700).
Sustainability in Pharmaceutical Packaging
Balancing regulatory requirements with environmental responsibility presents unique challenges. We offer recyclable paperboard options that maintain compliance while reducing plastic usage. FSC-certified materials ensure responsible sourcing. Water-based coatings replace solvent-based alternatives where barrier properties allow.
Right-sizing packaging reduces material waste and shipping emissions without compromising product protection.
Getting Started
Pharmaceutical packaging projects benefit from early collaboration. Share your product specifications, regulatory requirements, required information for package panels, and target quantities. We'll recommend appropriate materials, discuss compliance considerations, and provide detailed quotes.
Our team can coordinate with your regulatory consultants to ensure packaging meets all applicable requirements. Request a pharmaceutical packaging quote or explore our capabilities portfolio.