Pharmaceutical Packaging Market by Material (Polymer [PE, PP, PET], Glass, Paper, Metal) Type (Bottles, Blister, PFS, Caps, Vials, Ampoules, Sachet, Inhaler, Secondary, Tertiary) Dosage Form (Oral, Parenteral, Topical), End User–Global Forecast to 2031

The global pharmaceutical packaging market is projected to reach $176.54 billion by 2031 at a CAGR of 7.6% from 2024 to 2031.

Succeeding extensive secondary and primary research and in-depth analysis of the market scenario, the report comprises the analysis of key industry drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities. The growth of the pharmaceutical packaging market is driven by growth in the pharmaceutical sector, the rising demand for drug delivery devices, growing healthcare expenditures, the increasing focus on biosimilars, the growing trend of contract manufacturing & packaging in the pharmaceutical sector, and growth in the aging population & the consequent rise in chronic disease prevalence. However, increasing instances of counterfeit packaging, increasing waste generation due to single-use packaging, and concerns over certain materials leaching into pharmaceutical preparations restrain the growth of this market.

Furthermore, the rising adoption of personalized medicines & self-medication, improving healthcare provisions in emerging economies, the growth in pharmaceutical R&D spending, and the increasing focus on vaccine development & vaccination coverage are expected to generate growth opportunities for the players operating in this market. However, changing regulatory regimes and changing market demands in the constantly evolving pharmaceutical landscape are major challenges impacting market growth.

The report offers a competitive landscape based on an extensive assessment of the product portfolio offerings, geographic presences, and key strategic developments adopted by leading market players in the industry over four years (2020–2024). The key players operating in the global pharmaceutical packaging market are Amcor plc (Switzerland), AptarGroup, Inc. (U.S.), Becton, Dickinson and Company (U.S.), Gerresheimer AG (Germany), Schott Pharma AG & Co. KGaA (Germany), Berry Global Group, Inc. (U.S.), Drug Plastics Group (U.S.), Catalent, Inc. (U.S.), SGD Pharma (France), Corning Inc. (U.S.), WestRock Company (U.S.), and West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (U.S.).

Among all the materials studied in this report, the glass segment is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The high growth of this segment is attributed to the benefits offered by glass packaging such as sustainable, inert, impermeable, resistant to temperature, recyclable with no loss in quality, and reusable. Additionally, glass is resistant to temperature, which is highly valuable to the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, due to its safety, inertness, and impermeability, glass remains the preferred choice in pharmaceutical packaging, thereby driving growth.

Among all the packaging types studied in this report, in 2024, the primary packaging segment is expected to account for the largest share of the pharmaceutical packaging market. The large share of the segment is attributed to the increasing need for drug protection from external conditions and advancements in primary packaging. Additionally, the usage of pre-fillable syringes and inhalers is increasing due to the ease of use and the trend of self-medication. For instance, in May 2022, Terumo Pharmaceutical Solutions (TPS), a division of Terumo Corporation (Japan), launched a pre-fillable polymer syringe for low-dose applications such as ophthalmic drugs.

Among all the dosage forms studied in this report, in 2024, the oral dosage form segment is expected to account for the largest share of the pharmaceutical packaging market. The large share of the segment is attributed to oral drug delivery being the most preferred route of administration due to patient compliance and ease of administration. Additionally, the advancements in oral drug packaging are further supporting the large share of the segment. For instance, advancements such as smart blister packaging, active packaging, utilization of sustainable materials, and patient-centric packaging designs are aimed at improving patient regimen compliance and enhancing the usability of formulations.

Among all the end users studied in this report, the contract companies segment is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The high growth of the segment is attributed to the increasing outsourcing of pharmaceutical packaging to contract companies due to the complexities associated with the packaging, regulatory compliances, and mandatory serializations. By outsourcing serialization tasks, pharmaceutical companies can ensure compliance with requirements without investing significant time and resources in developing their procedures. For instance, in August 2021, Verifarma (Argentina) partnered with Himatrix (UAE) to provide pharmaceutical serialization solutions for companies in the Gulf region.

An in-depth analysis of the geographical scenario of the global pharmaceutical packaging market provides detailed qualitative and quantitative insights into the five major geographies (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa) along with the coverage of major countries in each region. In 2024, North America is expected to account for the largest share of the pharmaceutical packaging market. In the region in 2024, the U.S. is expected to account for the largest share of the pharmaceutical packaging market in North America. The large share of the country is attributed to government support for the growth of the pharmaceutical sector, the growing shift towards the self-administration of drugs, and the strong healthcare and pharmaceutical sector in the country. Additionally, major players operating in the packaging automation sectors are increasingly entering the U.S. market. For instance, in January 2022, Sewtec Automation Ltd. (U.K.) partnered with TurboFil Packaging Machines, LLC (U.S.) to emphasize Sewtec’s pharmaceutical, medical device, personal care, and cosmetics end-of-line packaging solutions in the U.S. market. Thus, increasing automation in the packaging sector in the region contributes to the segment’s large share.

Scope of the Report:
Pharmaceutical Packaging Market Assessment?by Material

  • Polymer
  • Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
  • Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
  • Polypropylene (PP)
  • Polyethylene (PE)
  • Other Polymers
  • Glass
  • Paper & Paperboard
  • Metal
  • Other Packaging Materials


Note: Other polymer materials include Cyclic Olefin Polymer (COP) and Polystyrene
Note: Other packaging materials include rubber, silica gel, and wood

Pharmaceutical Packaging Market Assessment?by Packaging Type

  • Primary Packaging
  • Blister Packaging
  • Bottles
  • Vials & Ampoules
  • Caps & Closures
  • Pre-fillable Inhalers
  • Pre-fillable Syringes & Cartridges
  • Pouches & Sachets
  • Other Primary Packaging
  • Secondary Packaging
  • Tertiary Packaging


Note: Other primary packaging includes jars & canisters, medication tubes, strip packs, specialty bags, and accessories
Pharmaceutical Packaging Market Assessment?by Dosage Form

  • Oral Dosage Form
  • Oral Solid Dosage
  • Oral Liquid Dosage
  • Parenteral Dosage Form
  • Other Dosage Forms


Note: Other dosage forms include topical, nasal, dermal, and ocular dosage forms
Pharmaceutical Packaging Market Assessment?by End User

  • Pharmaceutical Companies
  • Contract Companies
  • Pharmacies


Pharmaceutical Packaging Market Assessment?by Geography

  • North America
    • U.S.
    •  Canada
  • Europe
    • Switzerland
    • Italy
    • Germany
    • France
    • U.K
    • Ireland
    • Belgium
    • Spain
    • Denmark
    • Rest of Europe (RoE)
  • Asia-Pacific (APAC)
    • China
    • Japan
    • India
    • South Korea
    • Australia
    • Rest of Asia-Pacific (RoAPAC)
  • Latin America
    • Brazil
    • Mexico
    • Rest of Latin America
  • Middle East & Africa