Syringes are packed using a combination of primary and secondary packaging to ensure sterility, protection, and ease of use. Prefilled syringes commonly use this multi-layered approach.
Primary Packaging
For prefilled syringes, the plastic or glass syringe itself serves as the primary packaging. This is what directly holds the medication.
Secondary Packaging
Secondary packaging provides an extra layer of protection and aids in presentation. According to reference information, secondary packaging for prefilled syringes includes:
- Clamshells: These are hinged containers that snap shut, providing a secure enclosure.
- Lidding: A covering sealed onto a container, offering a barrier against contaminants.
- Ready-to-use tubs: Containers designed for immediate use, often pre-sterilized.
- Cartons: Cardboard boxes that provide structural support and space for labeling.
- Thermoformed Trays: Precisely shaped trays to hold syringes securely in place, often used in automated filling and packaging processes.
In essence, the secondary packaging protects the primary packaging and presents the syringe in a user-friendly manner to the end consumer. This often involves features designed to maintain sterility and integrity of the syringe and its contents until the point of use.
