Veterinary Medicine Packaging Market Size and Important Trade Regions

Veterinary Medicine Packaging Market Size and Regional Insights

The global veterinary medicine packaging market size is set for a massive revenue upswing, with projections of growth reaching hundreds of millions of dollars.

The veterinary medicine packaging market is likely to register impressive growth during the projected forecast period. The majority of veterinary medications have light sensitivity. Veterinary medications should be packaged properly since it makes a great impact. The two basic packaging types for veterinary medicine products are primary packaging, which holds the product (like  tablet bottle, glass vial and ophthalmic bottle, among others) and secondary packaging that is primarily utilized for transporting the product or shield it against external environmental elements like light. Brown bags are used as supplemental packaging by numerous veterinary pharmacies.

A pharmacy or manufacturer can save expenditure on packing by bagging their drugs, which keep them safe from light exposure long enough to be transported to a veterinary facility. 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.

The rise in the livestock population along with the growing pet ownership, specifically in the urban areas is expected to augment the growth of the veterinary medicine packaging market during the forecast period. Furthermore, the increased awareness about animal health, spurred by concerns over zoonotic diseases as well as the advancements in packaging technology such as tamper-evident, child-resistant and eco-friendly packaging is also anticipated to augment the growth of the market. Additionally, the rise of e-commerce in veterinary pharmaceuticals along with the development of the biodegradable and recyclable packaging materials is also projected to contribute to the growth of the market in the near future.

Key Trends and Findings

• A growing trend is the development of the unit dose packaging options for the animal. The appropriate quantity of medication can be used, transported, and stored due to the single-use packaging for medicines. Also, unlike human medicines, veterinary medicines most of the times need flexible dosing systems to accommodate animals of different sizes, breeds and species. This has resulted in the rise of the multi-dose packaging options such as multi-chamber vials and adjustable dose syringes that enables precise administration across a range of animal sizes, from small pets to the large livestock.
• Pet chewable pill dosage and packaging are also thoughtfully planned out. Tablets may be given in varying strengths or divided into smaller pieces based on the size of the pet and the intended purpose. To ensure that each animal receives the proper amount suited to its unique needs, some chewables even have scored lines that make it simple for pet owners to separate them for smaller creatures.
• As environmental concerns grow, package manufacturers are under increasing pressure to provide sustainable alternatives. The utilization of the biodegradable materials, recyclable plastics and reduced plastic usage is becoming a focus for companies seeking to minimize their environmental effect. This trend is prevalent, as consumers and authorities aim for reducing plastic waste and adopt sustainable packaging strategies.
• Packaging firms such as CCL Healthcare are focusing on providing secure as well as safe packaging that is essential for the veterinary medicine, food, nutritional supplements, vaccines and other products which are associated with the animal well-being.
• For instance, the tamper-evident packaging from CCL Healthcare protects animals from potential injury by offering a clear indicator if the product is damaged.
• North America held largest market share in 2023. This is due to the high prevalence of pet ownership and significant spending on animal health.
• Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at a fastest CAGR during the forecast period owing to the expansion of the livestock sector driven by food security concerns and the growing awareness of animal health.

Market Drivers

Increasing Pet Ownership

The rise in global pet ownership is expected to fuel the growth of the veterinary medicine packaging market during the projected timeframe. Due to the factors like shifting demographics, increasing disposable incomes and the Covid-19 pandemic, the percentage of the cats and dogs owned worldwide has been growing rapidly, primarily in the emerging economies. Growth is especially noticeable in nations where the middle class population is expanding. This is also causing the perceptions to change and a new pet culture to form, one that revolves around the humanization of the pets and the rise in the number of pets kept purely for the companionship. As per the survey by the HealthforAnimals, additional factors driving the rise in the pet ownership in China include relaxed laws governing the pet ownership as well as a declining birth rate. Experts predict that by 2024, China is going to have the highest percentage of pets worldwide, with pet ownership rising by 113% from 2014 and 2019.

Furthermore, according to the 2022 report by the American Veterinary Medical Association, dogs are the most popular companion animals in the households, with 44.6% owning them followed by the cats with 26% of households having them as pets. Birds are owned by 2.5% of households, while horses are owned by 0.2%. Approximately 62 million households own dogs, averaging 1.46 dogs per household and about 37 million households own cats, averaging 1.78 cats per household. Dog owners spend an average of $367 annually on the veterinary care per household, compared to $253 for the cat owners. This is likely to drive the need for the effective packaging that guarantees safe, accurate dosing and ease of administration becomes important. Additionally, with the growing awareness of the mental health and the positive impact of the pets on the emotional well-being has also fueled an increase in the pet ownership which in turn is likely to support the growth of the market in both the developed and emerging regions.

Market Restraints

Growing Environmental Concerns

The use of plastics as well as glass in veterinary medicine packaging is expected to hamper the market growth within the estimated timeframe. There is growing pressure on the pharmaceutical packaging sector to utilize more sustainable materials and implement more sustainable practices. This is partially owing to the drug packaging, which is typically made of plastic, has a carbon footprint. According to one research, the pharmaceutical sector is accountable for approximately 52 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions every year. The majority of medicine packaging such as blister packs, bottles and pre-filled syringes, is made of plastic. Every year, about 100,000 tons of polymers are produced worldwide for use in medicine packaging. There is still widespread usage of glass vials, bottles and syringes, specifically for vaccinations. But plastic replacements are gradually replacing these due to their very high production and recycling costs, as well as their breaking danger.

Furthermore, even while sustainable packaging is important, altering the packaging of currently available medications so as to make them simpler to recycle necessitates a lot of complicated governmental clearances. Making sure that any modifications do not compromise the product safety or increase the danger of contamination is the primary challenge. Designed to keep medications safe, blister packs are made of a combination of plastic and aluminum foil. These materials, however, are too difficult to separate for recycling, and as a result, they are either destroyed or burned. Also, according to the World Health Organization, around 16 billion injections are given annually throughout the world; however, not all of the used syringes and needles are disposed of appropriately. In certain situations, furans, dioxins and particulate matter may be released during the open burning or incineration of the medical waste. These factors represent the growing environmental concerns that are likely to restrain the growth of the veterinary medicine packaging market.

Market Opportunities

FDA Approvals of New Drug

The FDA approvals of new veterinary drugs are projected to fuel the growth of the veterinary medicine packaging market in the years to come. Several animal medications such as those that treat dogs' urine incontinence and cats' hyperthyroidism, have recently received FDA approval. Furthermore, instead of prescribing the unapproved medications, the government is encouraging pharmacists as well as veterinarians to utilize Bimasone, an injectable flumethasone solution. Some of the recent approved drugs are

• In July 2024, the first oral methimazole generic solution, Felanorm, was approved by the FDA to treat the cat hyperthyroidism. Felimazole Coated Tablets, an authorized brand-name medication product, are available in 2.5 mg and 5 mg tablet sizes, whereas Felanorm has 5 mg of methimazole per 1 mL of solution. The FDA states that ongoing veterinary supervision is necessary to make sure the new generic anti-thyroid medication, which is only accessible with a prescription from a registered veterinarian, is still being administered at an adequate dose to control the cat's hyperthyroidism.
• In July 2024, the generic moxidectin injectable solution MoxiSolv Injection received clearance by the FDA for use in beef and nonlactating dairy cattle. The antiparasitic medication is utilized to treat and manage external as well as internal parasites in cattle such as lice, mites, gastrointestinal roundworms, lungworms and cattle grubs. Dublin-based Bimeda Animal Health Ltd. is the sponsor of the injectable, MoxiSolv.
• In June 2024, Trimeprazine with Prednisolone pills were approved by the FDA to function as an antipruritic and antitussive for dogs with cough and itching disorders. These are the first dog-specific prescription trimeprazine with prednisolone tablets. The tablets are biologically equivalent to Temaril-P, a well-known pharmaceutical medication. This corticosteroid and antihistamine combination minimizes the inflammation, which is frequently linked to the majority of canine skin conditions such as dermatitis, otitis and eczema brought on by internal illnesses. ZyVet Animal Health, Inc. is the sponsor of trimeprazine with prednisolone.

When the FDA authorizes a new drug, it is likely to increase the demand for packaging options that meet the drug's specific needs. This is especially true for specialist pharmaceuticals like vaccinations, injectables and oral therapies, which may necessitate packaging that guarantees safety, sterility, dosage precision along with a longer shelf life.

Key Segment Analysis

Material Segment Analysis Preview

The plastic segment held considerable market share in 2023. Due to its exceptional mechanical strength, flexibility and stability, plastic is a material that finds various applications in the pharmaceutical sector including the packaging. The plastic pill bottles are made from a range of materials such as the polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene. These are available in a number of sizes and forms. Polyethylene is perfect for packaging a range of drugs. PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is frequently utilized for the packaging of pharmaceutical products, specifically when making bottles for the liquid medications. The material is additionally resistant to the harmful effects that oxygen might have on the medications. Also, PET meets the strict quality standards as well as regulatory requirements established by organizations such as the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and contributes to environmental sustainability, which corresponds with the increasing focus of the pharmaceutical industry on the practices that promote the sustainable development.

End-User Segment Analysis Preview

The veterinary clinics and hospitals segment held the largest market share in 2023. More specialized alternatives and a broader variety of services are usually available at the veterinary hospitals and clinics. Many of the services provided by animal hospitals are often in-hospital capabilities, which eliminate the need for external resources or procedures. Clinics provide regular care such as immunizations, wellness examinations as well as other general services. While animal hospitals focus on specialized care, clinic care is mainly focused on the preventative care. Furthermore, modern veterinary diagnostic services are available in the veterinary hospitals to precisely diagnose health problems. Additionally, they have the tools necessary to carry out a range of surgical treatments, from simple sterilization and neutering to intricate procedures. During these surgeries, proficient veterinary surgeons guarantee that animals obtain the best care available. These factors are likely to contribute to the growth of the segment during the estimated timeframe.

Regional Insights

North America held the largest market share in the world in 2023. This is due to the highest rates of pet ownership and high spending on the pet healthcare. For instance, as per the data by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, Canadian households are home to approximately 8.5 million cats and 7.9 million dogs. Also, 69.8% of Mexican homes had a pet in 2022, according to a survey conducted by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI). Of these, dogs accounted for 54.7% of the total number of pets (43.8 million), followed by cats with 16.2 million that is 20.2% and other animals with 20 million (25%). Furthermore, the presence of numerous veterinary hospitals, clinics and specialized pet care centers along with the growing focus on preventive healthcare 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 growing government initiatives for animal health along with the increasing awareness of preventive healthcare for both pets and livestock across the region. For instance, since 2022, the Government of India has implemented the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) throughout the country with the key objective of minimizing animal health hazards through a variety of strategies. The initiative focuses on preventative immunization against critical animal diseases, increasing veterinary service capacity, monitoring diseases and developing veterinary infrastructure. Additionally, the expansion in livestock farming as well as the higher disposable incomes, increasing spending on animal healthcare is also anticipated to promote the growth of the market in the region in the near future.

Recent Developments by Key Market Players

• In March 2024: The FDA proposed labeling regulations that would assist give sponsors of animal therapeutics consistent requirements for the format and content of new animal medications that are sold over-the-counter and on prescription, as well as medications utilized in animal feed. Through these proposed regulations, the FDA hopes to offer information consistently for the safe and efficient use of pharmaceuticals for animals. In addition to helping sponsors prepare labeling for review more effectively, the rule would also be advantageous to veterinary professionals, pet owners, and animal producers.
• In August 2023: Modern Animal revealed intentions to expand its veterinarian clinic network to Colorado, the state of Arizona as well as Georgia. The second half of 2024 is when Modern Animal plans to expand, with clinics opening in Atlanta, Denver, Houston, and Phoenix. Over the course of the past year, the company has quickly expanded the number of clinics it operates, to 11. These locations now provide thousands of pets with the easy-to-handle treatment that owners have come to expect from Modern Animal.

Veterinary Medicine Packaging Market Companies

Some of the key players in veterinary medicine packaging market Emenac Packaging, VINPACK Corporation, Jiangyiqi Colour Plastic Printing Co. Ltd., Safepack Solutions, Dymapak, Stoelzle Pharma, Pharma Packaging Solutions, Röchling SE & Co. KG, Pioneer Veterinary Products Ltd, H&K Müller GmbH & Co. KG, and E2Global Inc., among others.

Veterinary Medicine Packaging Market Segments

By Material

• Plastic
• Glass
• Aluminum
• Paper & Paperboard
• Others

By Packaging Type

• Bottles
• Blister Packs
• Vials
• Syringes
• Pouches
• Boxes
• Labeling
• Others

By Drug Type

• Vaccines
• Anti-Infective Drugs
• Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
• Parasiticides
• Others

By End-User

• Veterinary Clinics and Hospitals
• Retail Pharmacies
• Online Pharmacies
• 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