Pharmaceutical-packaging film demand to grow 2.6% a year to 2026: Freedonia Group
Demand for packaging film in the pharmaceutical market is forecast to expand 2.6% per year to 425 million lbs in 2026, says a new report by The Freedonia Group. Pharmaceuticals will remain one of the fastest-growing nonfood application for packaging films due to:
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high healthcare spending levels
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an aging population
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rising incidence of chronic diseases and disorders
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widespread prescription drug coverage
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preferences for medication over more costly patient procedures
These trends and more are included in the study, Plastic Film. In addition to these broad demographic and healthcare industry trends, more specific changes in pharmaceutical packaging will drive strong growth. These include:
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the use of more complex barrier packages to protect increasingly volatile drug formulations, such as biologics
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growth of more convenient packaging formats like unit dose flat pouches, stick packs, and standup pouches
Near-term gains will also be supported by increasing demand for the pharmaceuticals used to treat COVID-19.
Pharmaceutical packages must exhibit excellent chemical stability and barrier properties, and clarity is important in cases where healthcare personnel need to inspect the contents. These requirements will create strong growth opportunities for: