Sustainability of blisters for medicines in tablet form

Pharmaceutics evolved the last decades in drug delivery and protection, but blisters as primary packaging are still needed in most presentations of tablets and some capsules. Its production moves a billionaire business that also evolved in complex packages with multilayers to enhance protection, flexibility and other attributes. However, blister sustainability did not follow the evolution and must be addressed for environmental sake. Therefore, we performed a bibliographic research in the database of scientific articles and on websites of companies producing materials for commercial blisters. We then compiled traditional starting materials, attributes and practices for blister production and disposal, together with alternatives to reduce, recycle or change materials for more sustainable ones. We also highlighted the difficulties to reach sustainability without decreasing tablet protection and easiness of the packing process. More life cycle studies for blisters are in need to properly compare and choose alternatives, since sustainability must be evaluated from the beginning to end of product life. In summary, the information gathered here may aid future decisions and point out research needs to sustainability evolution of blisters for medicines in tablet form.

Automated summary

Pharmaceutics has made progress in drug delivery and protection, but the sustainability of blister packaging needs to be addressed. Research shows that while there are alternative materials for blister production, achieving sustainability without compromising tablet protection and ease of packaging remains a challenge. More life cycle studies are needed to properly evaluate and choose alternatives for a sustainable evolution of blister packaging in the pharmaceutical industry.