While moisture in pharmaceutical packaging can have negative or even dangerous effects on its content, unpleasant odours are especially repellent to patients. Here, Ursula Hahn, head of product management, Sanner, Germany, looks at how both can be systematically prevented using suitable adsorbents – provided the right aspects are taken into account.
Pills
Many pharmaceutical products are sensitive to moisture, the effects of which are manifold and often pose a high risk to both drugs and patients. In the case of tablets, powders and effervescent tablets, the properties and texture may change, whereas gel capsules might dissolve, and blood or urine test strips may produce false or misleading results. In the worst case, the efficacy of drugs is reduced, or the analytical results are falsified, which can lead to an incorrect medication and impede successful therapy. In addition, many pharmaceuticals, especially analgesics such as acetylsalicylic acid, release specific molecules into the ambient air inside the packaging that can develop very unpleasant odours.