Industry Outlook

Economic ups and downs are certainly driving change in the pharmaceutical and medical device packaging markets, perhaps accelerating trends that began long ago, such as downgauging and lightweighting. But given the heavily regulated industry and its conservative, quality-minded packaging professionals, change happens slowly. While such a pace often means that innovations take time to penetrate the industry, it also means that attempts to reduce operating costs typically do not happen quickly.

By David Yao
Senior Project Engineer, Merck

Despite economic struggles in the United States, President Barack Obama is pushing for healthcare reform. His appointees to the Health and Human Services (HHS) and FDA are pushing, too. Their approaches include prevention, improving healthcare quality, and reducing costs and waste, among other initiatives. Given the critical roles packaging and labeling play in maintaining the safe and effective use of pharmaceuticals and medical devices, you may be able to help them.