Why Medicines Are Packed In Aluminium Foil?

The use of aluminium foil to package medicines is mainly based on its excellent physical and chemical properties such as excellent barrier properties and versatility, which can effectively protect the safety and effectiveness of medicines. Aluminum foil packaging has become the preferred material for medicine packaging due to its comprehensive barrier properties, lightness, environmental protection and economy. It not only ensures the stability of medicines during storage and transportation, but also improves the convenience and safety of patients’ use.

• Excellent barrier properties, isolating from external threats

Aluminum foil is an extremely thin metal film with a highly dense structure that can almost completely block air, moisture, light (especially ultraviolet rays) and microorganisms.

– Anti-oxidation and moisture-proof: Many drug ingredients are prone to oxidation reactions with oxygen in the air, or deliquesce and deteriorate due to moisture absorption. Aluminum foil can form a sealed barrier to prevent drugs from direct contact with the external environment. For example, for moisture-sensitive drugs such as vitamin C and certain antibiotics, aluminum foil packaging can significantly extend their shelf life.

– Light protection: Photosensitive drugs (such as nifedipine and some hormone preparations) are easily decomposed and ineffective under light. The opacity of aluminum foil can completely isolate ultraviolet rays and visible light, preventing the drug from reducing its efficacy due to photolysis.

• Stable chemical properties to avoid drug contamination

A very thin aluminum oxide protective film is naturally formed on the surface of aluminum foil, which is chemically stable and not easy to react with the ingredients in the drug (such as acids, alkalis, organic solvents), nor will it release harmful substances. This is especially important for long-term storage of drugs, which can ensure the stability and safety of drug ingredients.

• Good sealing and formability, suitable for a variety of packaging forms

– Tight sealing: Medicine aluminum foil can be compounded with plastics (such as PVC, PE) or paper materials through heat sealing technology to form highly sealed packaging (such as blister packaging, bag packaging), preventing drugs from being damp and contaminated due to packaging damage during transportation or storage.

– Flexible molding: Aluminum foil has excellent ductility and can be processed into various shapes, suitable for tablets, capsules, powders and other dosage forms. For example, blister packaging (aluminum foil + plastic substrate) is not only convenient for quantitative drug use, but also can independently seal each drug to avoid contamination caused by multiple openings.

• Superior physical properties to ensure packaging strength and hygiene

– Puncture resistance and wear resistance: Although aluminum foil is thin, it has high strength and is not easily pierced by sharp objects. It can effectively protect drugs from physical damage such as extrusion and collision during transportation.

– Smooth surface, not easy to breed microorganisms: It is difficult for bacteria, mold and other microorganisms to adhere to the surface of metal materials, and aluminum foil packaging can be sterilized at high temperature during the production process to further ensure the hygiene of the packaging and meet the sterility requirements of drug packaging.

• Easy to store and use, improve the convenience of medication

– Lightweight and easy to carry: Aluminum foil packaging is light in weight and occupies little space, which is convenient for patients to carry or store at home, especially suitable for drugs that need to be taken for a long time.

– Moisture-proof and anti-volatile: For traditional Chinese medicine pills that are easy to absorb moisture and preparations containing volatile ingredients, aluminum foil packaging can effectively prevent the loss of moisture and active ingredients and maintain the efficacy.

• Environmental protection and recyclability (additional advantages)

Aluminum foil is a recyclable metal material. After being discarded, it can be recycled through professional treatment, reducing the burden of packaging waste on the environment and meeting the environmental protection requirements of modern pharmaceutical packaging.

Actual application scenarios of aluminium foil for medicine packaging:

– Tablets/capsules: independent aluminum foil bag packaging to prevent moisture and oxidation.

– Powder/granules: anti-caking and maintain fluidity.

– Injection: high sealing to avoid pollution.

– Health products/nutritional products: extend shelf life and adapt to long-distance transportation.

Aluminum foil has become an ideal material for pharmaceutical packaging due to its high barrier properties, chemical stability, sealing and formability. It can protect the effectiveness, safety and hygiene of drugs from multiple dimensions while taking into account the convenience of use. This is also the core reason why aluminum foil packaging (or aluminum foil composite packaging) is widely used in various dosage forms such as tablets, capsules, and powder for injection.