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The expanding global pharmaceutical industry projects a 4%-6% annual growth and forecasts that it will reach a value of $1T by 2014. By Paul Dupont

Blister packaging, not long ago considered a less significant segment of the North American pharmaceutical packaging industry, is now outpacing most other industry segments. In 2010, blister represented 17% of the global market and recorded $8.1B in revenue, according to Pharmaceutical Packaging Industry – 2011 Yearbook. GBI Research. By Paul Dupont, Director of Business Development North America, Ropack, Inc.

Volumetric feeders control flow by discharging a consistent volume of material. They are best used when bulk density is consistent, long term feed accuracy is not critical, and feeder performance does not need to be documented. By Sharon Nowak

Audits by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), historically a source of angst, may be generating even more concern. Recently, the FDA has escalated its cGMP compliance inspections by enforcing increasingly complex regulations, gaining greater access to records and conducting audits more frequently – up from .06 to .09 per year, according to Bloomberg News. By Paul Dupont, Ropack

Global research on the pharmaceutical packaging market indicates that blister packaging will continue its robust growth, projected through the remaining decade to trail bottling only slightly in market share. While mature markets, such as Europe and Asia, already accept blister packs as a preferred method – and with North America stepping up its blister usage – these markets, surprisingly, are not the driving force in blister’s growth. Instead, the increase is expected, in large part, to be spurred by the benefits blister packaging brings to emerging markets where product protection, patient compliance and the need for daily or weekly prescription dosage are often primary considerations. By Paul Dupont

Trends in packaging of prescription and over-the-counter drugs indicate continued growth in the blister packaging market. The U.S. blister market size reached $2.58 billion in 2013 and is projected to reach $3.44 billion by 2018. This escalation outpaces the growth of other packaging formats, principally bottling. While key factors driving that trend reflect the ongoing focus by manufacturers on drug safety and protection, others arise from the latest government regulations and the growing voice of the consumer.