Pharmaceutical push through blister packs require barrier properties films to protect products from moisture, oxygen or light. There is an increasing interest in higher barrier blister films for moisture sensitive drugs which need more protective packs.
Blister packaging is predicted to sustain steady growth in the US, from $1,7 billion in 2006 to $2,5 billion in 2011. One reason is it becomes the packaging of choice for solid oral drugs unit-dose formats being tested in clinical trials or being dispensed in hospitals that aid patient compliance.
Historically, for pills, US have preferred bottles, whereas in Europe and in the rest of the world, blister packaging is the standard. Europe is still also a growing market for pharmaceutical blister packaging, from $1,9 billion in 2006 to $2,6 billion in 2011.
These films may include as a barrier layer Aluminium, PCTFE, COC and PP or PVDC. PVC/PCTFE, COC/PP or PVC/PVDC films solutions cover a wide range of moisture barrier requirements depending on the thickness of the barrier layer.