Some of the key issues when it comes to packaging have been highlighted by respondents to a magazine's survey.

Healthcare Packaging asked some of its readers what the main 'pain points' are when designing new containers for medicines and other products - and the responses indicated that designing the peelable labels may be the easy part.

Some said they are having difficulties because consumers want thinner packaging, but this can cause manufacturing problems and may mean the product inside is not adequately protected.

Others reported that some of the new plastics being used in packaging are not compatible with the product inside, while another group cited issues with items slipping inside reduced-size boxes and packets.

"Wowing consumers with innovative packaging requires package design expertise and likely costs some money," the magazine concluded.

Design expert Tim Clarke recently told Pharmaceutical Technology magazine that well-packaged medicines with clear pharma Fix-a-Form labels can help patients to better understand what they have been given and how they should take it.

Denny Bros Ltd, 22 August 2011