Pharmaceutical Bottles Market Size, Demand & Supply Chain

Pharmaceutical Bottles Market Size and Segments Insights

The global pharmaceutical bottles market size is booming, poised for a revenue surge into the hundreds of millions from 2023 to 2034, driving a revolution in sustainable transportation.

The pharmaceutical bottles market is expected to witness considerable growth during the forecast period. Bottles are often used for storing liquids, pills and capsules in the pharmaceutical sector. Depending on the product, glass or plastic might be utilized for the production of bottles. Glass is the best material for usage when storing liquids and fragile drug products for extended periods of time. For a wide range of medications and nutraceuticals, including ibuprofen and vitamin D, bottles made-up of plastic are more adaptable and suitable. The main purpose of the pharmaceutical bottles, whether made of glass or plastic, is to shield the contents from degeneration and damage. A coil is frequently included with bottled tablets to prevent the product breakage during transportation.

The increasing global demand for prescription medications along with the rise in chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer which is fueling the need for long-term medication adherence is expected to augment the growth of the pharmaceutical bottles market during the forecast period. Furthermore, the growth of biopharmaceuticals and biologics as well as the rise of e-commerce and online pharmacy sales is also anticipated to augment the growth of the market. Additionally, the stringent regulatory requirements around the world along with the growing focus on anti-counterfeiting measures are also projected to contribute to the growth of the market in the years to come. The global packaging market size is estimated to grow from USD 1.20 trillion in 2022 to reach an estimated USD 1.58 trillion by 2032, growing at a 3.16% CAGR between 2023 and 2032.

Key Trends and Findings

• One of the industries that counterfeiting most affects is the pharmaceutical one. Adding to the situation, the pandemic has led to an increase in internet drug transactions along with limitations on personal freedom.  However, the development of new packaging techniques will be very beneficial in minimizing the issue of counterfeiting. One method of doing this is serialization that involves giving every pharmaceutical product like a bottle or box, a special identifying code. This code makes it possible to track and trace the product, aids in protecting consumers against counterfeit goods, and guarantees that customers are only provided authentic goods.
• A recent trend has been the pharmaceutical industry's announcement of the greatest levels of manufacturing growth investments through 2023. Many of the largest producers of pharmaceuticals have declared billion-dollar capacity expansions. This has pushed the expected growth of the packaging sector in the pharmaceutical industry in the years to come.
• The pharmaceutical industry is among the many areas of the life where augmented reality is gradually penetrating. Some pharmaceutical companies are exploring the possibility of converting the bottle descriptions into three dimensions, so that patients may connect more effectively with their prescriptions. With an augmented reality (AR) visual display, patients could be far more engaged than with a nearly unreadable leaflet explaining how the treatment works.
• The current method of developing the pharmaceuticals is another trend influencing the pharma packaging, both now as well as in the future. The majority of the history of the current pharma saw the production of the small molecules and straightforward synthetic solutions that worked well with the glass bottles. But when the focus of the drug development shifted to the biologics that are far more complicated as compared to the small molecule pharmaceuticals, the need for improved packaging to maintain and safeguard their therapeutic effects also increased.
• North America held largest market share in 2023. This is due to the strong focus on innovation in the development of biopharmaceuticals, stringent regulatory requirements and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases.
• Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at a fastest CAGR during the forecast period owing to the increasing healthcare access and rising pharmaceutical production along with the growing government initiatives to improve healthcare infrastructure.

Market Drivers

Increasing Consumption of Prescription Medications

The increasing consumption of prescription medications is expected to fuel the growth of the pharmaceutical bottles market within the estimated timeframe. This is owing to the growing prevalence of chronic diseases, an aging global population and the improved access to the medical treatment. Prescription drug use is prevalent among persons with one of the five common chronic conditions heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, hypertension and cancer. Prescription medication utilization, for instance, is used by 89% of individuals with arthritis and 98% of those with diabetes. Individuals suffering from these diseases take many prescription drugs and spend a lot of money on them each year. Compared to the general population, adults with diabetes fill approximately four times as many prescriptions and spend roughly four times on these prescribed medicines.

According to the report by the National Center for Health Statistics, about In 2021, sixty percent of adults who were eighteen years of age or older reported taking one prescription drug, while thirty-six percent reported having three or more. Retail medication out-of-pocket expenses increased 4.8% reaching $63 billion in year 2021. Also, as per the NHE fact sheet, prescription drug spending in the United States has increased significantly during the past two decades, rising from $141 billion in 2001 to $378 billion in 2021. This is equivalent to approximately 1.6% of the US GDP and around 9% of the total health care spending. Expenditure on prescription drugs grew by 8.4% to $405.9 billion in 2022, surpassing the 6.8% growth in 2021.

Furthermore, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services projections, this type of spending will continue to rise and is expected to reach $592 billion by 2031, a 57% increase. As medicine consumption and spending rise, pharmaceutical bottles that guarantee drug safety and dose precision become increasingly important. As a result, increased prescription drug usage is a key factor driving the growth of the pharmaceutical bottle market as manufacturers seek to meet the growing packaging needs of the healthcare industry.

Market Restraints

Growing Competition from Alternative Packaging Options

The pharmaceutical industry is increasingly adopting alternative packaging formats such as blister packs, prefilled syringes, pouches, and stick packs which are likely to hinder the growth of the market within the estimated timeframe. Blister pack structure provides other advantages along with immediately addressing and resolving the often stated problems with the bottles. The risk of contamination is effectively reduced with the utilization of blister packaging. Reliable hermetic seals extend shelf life by keeping the moisture out and shield against contamination until it's time to utilize them. Additionally, there are chances for technological advancement given the kinds of packaging materials used in pharmaceutical blisters. Many different solutions can be incorporated into the design of blisters.

• For instance, Amcor offers a senior-friendly and child-resistant lidding that is both practical and efficient in its PushSmart. The creative design has "Release Zones" with micro-perforations for push-through access to it, making it simple for elders to release capsules.

Furthermore, another popular way to package pharmaceuticals is called "strip packaging," in which each dose is contained in a continuous, flexible piece of material. Multi-dose prescription regimens can also be accommodated by this style of packaging. Also, strip packaging supports 2D barcode scanning that helps to reduce the risk of drug administration errors. Every packaging has all the necessary details about the patient, including the dosage of the prescription. This particular style of prescription packaging makes administering drugs easier and more efficient for both residents and caregivers. As a result, pharmaceutical bottles are losing popularity, mainly in the over-the-counter (OTC) and specialty medication sectors, where new packaging styles are preferred. This trend has a significant impact on the growth of the pharmaceutical bottles market as it limits their application area and market share, forcing manufacturers to innovate and adapt to the shifting industry demands.

Market Opportunities

Growing Investments in Pharmaceutical Capacity Expansion

The growing investments in pharmaceutical capacity expansion are projected to fuel the growth of the pharmaceutical bottles market in the years to come. This is due to the aging global population, healthcare developments and a surge in the consumption of both the prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Thus, pharmaceutical companies are making substantial investments in new manufacturing facilities as well as upgrades to existing ones to improve the production efficiency, supply chain resilience and guarantee a consistent supply of drugs to both developed and emerging markets.

• In May 2024, Eli Lilly & Company declared that it has committed an additional $5.3 billion to its manufacturing facility in Lebanon, Indiana, more than doubling its previous investment of $3.7 billion to $9 billion. With this expansion, Lilly will be able to produce more active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), increasing the number of adults who can benefit from these important therapies for chronic conditions including type-2 diabetes and obesity. In addition, the organization recently acquired an injectable manufacturing plant in Wisconsin, from Nexus Pharmaceuticals, and has invested an additional $1.2 billion to modernize its current manufacturing facilities in Indianapolis.
• In March 2024, Aptar Pharma unveiled the next phase of its worldwide capacity development plan for North America. With this investment, Aptar hopes to better serve North America's increasing prescription and consumer healthcare market's need for patented medication delivery methods. The purpose of the building extension is to improve the site's warehouse, cleanroom and manufacturing capabilities by adding 28,500 square feet to the manufacturing footprint. North American expansion for Aptar Pharma is a component of the organization's broader global expansion strategy.
• In October 2023, Cambrex revealed the completion of the expansion of the $38 million capacity at its small molecule API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) production facility in North Carolina. With the two additional clinical manufacturing suites, modern analytical and chemical innovation laboratories and a small-scale commercial production operation with 3 work centers and 2,000 Liter reactors, this expansion almost doubles the facility's manufacturing capacity.

Moreover, this increase in production capacity is not confined to traditional pharmaceuticals; it also includes biologics, biosimilars and specialty medications, all of which require packaging to protect their integrity. This development represents a profitable opportunity for the pharmaceutical bottles market as it is associated with the demand for innovative packaging options for a constantly evolving pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.

Key Segment Analysis

Material Segment Analysis Preview

The glass segment held considerable market share in 2023. Glass has long been the preferred material for the pharma packaging industry and it is utilized when creating safe packaging. Glass is perfect for packing medications such as liquids, solids, injectables and reconstitutables due to its inertness and chemical stability. It also has a high degree of temperature resistance, which is advantageous for the pharmaceutical sector, as these medicines frequently need to be maintained at specific temperatures.

Also, pharmaceutical glass that is made in an amber color decreases light transmission, making it specifically appropriate for medications that are highly photosensitive. Sustainable choices such as recycled glass will become popular in pharmaceutical packaging in the future. The development of strong, durable, secure and environmentally friendly pharmaceutical packaging is currently a priority. Glass is likely to be utilized in bottles for many years to come for tablets, pills, and other medical and pharmaceutical drugs.

End-Use Segment Analysis Preview

The pharma manufacturing segment held the largest market share in 2023. The growing global demand for healthcare solutions due to the growing percentage of geriatric population and the rising incidence of various diseases is anticipated to accelerate the segmental growth of the market. Additionally, technological advancements in manufacturing processes such as automation and the adoption of artificial intelligence are improving the production efficiency and reducing a cost which in turn is projected to contribute the growth of the segment in the global market. Also, the developments in drug formulations such as the biologics and biopharmaceuticals globally are further likely to fuel the segment's growth in the years to come

Regional Insights

North America held the largest market share in the world in 2023. This is due to the strong focus on the research and development of new drugs and its approvals as well as the stringent regulatory standards set by agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) across the region. For instance, in September 2024, Zevra Therapeutics, Inc. reported that Miplyffa (MY-PLY-FAH) (arimoclomol) capsules were approved by the US FDA to be taken orally for the treatment of Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC). In adults and pediatric patients two years of age and older, miplyffa is recommended for use in alongside miglilustat to treat neurological symptoms of non-primary cerebral palsy (NPC). Furthermore, the presence of major pharmaceutical companies and a well-established healthcare infrastructure is also expected to contribute to the regional growth of the market.

Asia Pacific is likely to grow at fastest CAGR during the forecast period. This is owing to the expanding pharmaceutical industry in countries like China, India and Japan along with the increasing healthcare expenditures and government initiatives to improve healthcare access across the region. Furthermore, the rising investments in the healthcare infrastructure and the development of advanced manufacturing capabilities are also expected to support the regional growth of the market. Additionally, growing trend of self-medication and over-the-counter (OTC) drug consumption as well as the increasing awareness of health and wellness is also anticipated to promote the growth of the market in the region in the near future.

Recent Developments by Key Market Players

• In January 2024: A new pharmaceutical packaging bottle was introduced by Bormioli Pharma and Loop Industries, Inc. Virgin-quality, 100% recycled Loop polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin is utilized to make the new bottle. The goal of Loop and Bormioli's collaboration is to provide the pharmaceutical industry with sustainable packaging options.
• In January 2024: Savillex revealed that a new line of PETG Square Media Bottles would be available under the Purillex name. The PETG bottles are currently offered for both nationwide and global shipment. They are produced in their ISO Class 7 plant located in the United States. The new PETG media bottles were created especially to satisfy the demanding requirements of consumers in the life sciences sector.

Key Market Players

Some of the key players in pharmaceutical bottles market Gerresheimer AG, Amcor Limited, SGD Pharma, Berry Global Inc., DWK Life Sciences, AptarGroup, Inc., Schott AG, West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., Bormioli Pharma, Origin Pharma Packaging, Berlin Packaging, and Shandong Pharmaceutical Glass Co., Ltd. among others.

Pharmaceutical Bottles Market Segments

By Material

• Plastic
• Glass

By Bottle Type

• Packer Bottles
• Dropper Bottles
• Eye Droppers
• Ear Droppers
• Nose Droppers
• Liquid Bottles
• Others

By Capacity

• Less than 100 ml
• 100-250 ml
• 250 ml and Above

By End-Use

• Pharma Manufacturing
• Contract Packaging
• Retail Pharmacy
• Others

By Region

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • U.K.
  • France
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • South-East Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC Countries
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa