Convenient, high integrity packaging solutions for the safe delivery of drug products

Illnesses and ailments associated with impaired function of the respiratory system are a major healthcare issue. They range from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma to rhinitis, allergies and the coughs and cold that plague every day life. Estimates suggest that adults have around 2 – 3 colds per year on average and drugs for coughs and colds, along with those for allergies/hayfever account for a large portion of the over-the-counter (OTC) market.

Therapies for respiratory illnesses are often delivered directly to the site of action. For example, nasal drug products, typically nasal sprays, deposit droplets in the nasal cavity and are often a first line defence for ailments such as rhinitis and hayfever; throat sprays offer topical relief for localised soreness. Other orally delivered products include tablets and capsules and cough syrups, both of which are prevalent in the OTC marketplace. Traditional actives ingredients for cough syrups include for example ambroxol, carbocisteine or oxomemazine molecules. However, there is a growing trend towards natural/organic/herbal based cough syrups including herbal such as hedera helix, food such as honey or essential oils such as eucalyptus or tea tree. More generally essential oils are used to treat a range of respiratory conditions. For example, in France, the relief of respiratory-related symptoms accounts for almost 50% of essential oil usage*. Parenteral delivery (through passive diffusion or with a fogger) represents around 12% by volume of the respiratory market and is important for formulations that cannot be delivered via oral products**.

Glass is a popular packaging option for respiratory therapies, notably for nasal drug products, syrups, sprays and essential oils. It offers:

• Good UV protection, for light sensitive formulations
• A high level of chemical stability
• Flexibility, a wide range of solutions are available with numerous options for filling and sealing.

SGD Pharma’s portfolio for respiratory therapies includes bottles for nasal sprays, syrup bottles and dropper bottles and parenteral vials, in both clear and amber glass. The U-Save range is designed specifically for nasal applications and consists of bottles from 1 to 5 ml in volume, made exclusively from Type I glass, for maximum hydrolytic resistance. These bottles are designed to guarantee complete liquid delivery, to minimise drug wastage and are available in a range of neck finishes, to ensure an optimal match with specific dispensing systems. Type III glass products are a cost-effective option for syrups and droppers and the portfolio includes designs in a wide range of volumes, in both clear and amber glass.

* France Agrimer/Open Health, January 2018

** France Agrimer/Open Health, January 2018