Plastic Pre-fillable Syringes and Vials: Progress Towards a Wider Acceptance
injectables
Michael N. Eakins, Ph.D. Principal Consultant, Eakins & Associates
A number of trends can be identified in the delivery of parenteral drugs in the last decade. Amongst these is the increase in popularity and sales of pre-filled syringes, a growing availability of ready-to-fill plastic pre-fillable syringes, and the outsourcing of the final preparation of primary packaging components from the pharmaceutical companies to the component vendors. Annual global sales of pre-filled syringes are currently estimated to be over 2.2 billion globally, with over 50% of the units being supplied in nests (tubs) as ready to- fill components [1]. Here washing, siliconization and sterilization of the components is already completed (nested) as against being supplied in bulk where these steps are the responsibility of the pharmaceutical company. In 2005, a previous article on plastic vials and plastic prefillable syringes reviewed the status of both their availability and interest in their use as primary packaging for parenteral products [2]. This article will examine what progress has been made in the availability of plastic pre-fillable syringes and vials, whether there has been a change in attitude of pharmaceutical companies to their use, and to review the regulation of plastics for containers.
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