pharmaceutical packaging

Question 1

What quality control tests are carried out on packaging/products?

Answer 1

1) purity
2) identification of degradation products
3) loss/gain of moisture
4) microbial levels
5) effectiveness/interaction/absorption
6) appearance
7) flavour
8) smell

Question 2

What are the advantages of glass?

Answer 2

1) transparent
2) sparkly
3) easy to clean/sterilise
4) effective closure
5) high speed handling
6) good rigidity
7) stackability
8) inertness

Question 3

What are the disadvantages of glass?

Answer 3

1) fragile

2) heavy weight

Question 4

What are metals used for?

Answer 4

1) to form foil
2) tamper-proof closures
3) aerosol cans
4) tubes for effervescent tablets

Question 5

What are the most used + most economic plastics?

Answer 5

1) polyethylene
2) polyvinyl chloride
3) polypropylene
4) polystyrene

Question 6

What are the advantages of plastic?

Answer 6

1) economic
2) variety of materials
3) variety of fabrications
4) variety of designs
5) variety of physical + chemical properties

Question 7

What are the disadvantages of plastic?

Answer 7

1) poor physical stability
2) permeability to oxygen/carbon dioxide/moisture
3) electrostatic attraction
4) penetration of light

Question 8

What is paper and cardboard used for?

Answer 8

1) labels
2) cartons
3) bags

Question 9

Why are cartons used?

Answer 9

1) increases display area
2) better stacking
3) physical protection

Question 10

What are rubber-based components used for?

Answer 10

closures of sterile products

Question 11

What are the advantages of natural rubber?

Answer 11

1) reseals well

2) minimal moisture + gas permeability

Question 12

What are the advantages of synthetic rubber?

Answer 12

1) withstands multiple autoclaving

2) not permeable to moisture + gas