Have you used a prescription drug in the last 30 days? Chances are you have: about 48.5% of Americans have taken at least one prescription drug at the guidance of their doctor. Bottle packaging companies exist primarily to disperse over the counter (OTC) medication. But in your pharmaceutical supply chain research you may find yourself asking, “What is blister packaging?” and other questions. This seemingly simple choice can affect how people form opinions about the medication they are regularly taking. Take the time to make an informed choice.

When people think of hospitals, “sterilization” comes to mind. Clean, antiseptic surfaces are the norm ever since we as a society realized the existence of germs and the role they play in infections. This fear of contamination extends to pharmaceutical and medical packaging. Medical blister packaging is actually favored by many companies because it’s tamper-evident, and the package allows for company customization.

Blister packaging companies are able to offer a few options that bottle packaging companies cannot really match. A blister pack is several doses to a sheet, with a couple sheets to a box. These can be customized according to a company’s color, container style, or unique style. It also, due to to the size of the box they come in, allow for coupons. A discount on future medications is a perk for many customers.

Unlike bottle packaging companies, companies that distribute blister packages are able to better protect the product. In a bottle, the pills are knocked together through shipping and handling. In a blister package, the pills are protected by being separated by dosage. They also have the benefit of being convenient.

The packaging chosen to house a medication is something the manufacturer needs to consider carefully. The most likely demographic to be prescribed the medicine matters: a pill prescribed to seniors needs to be easy to open. A pill meant for children needs to be in a child-proof container so that the dosage is correctly monitored.

While there is no clear winner between blister packaging or bottle packages, it must be noted that medicines that come in blister packs are prescribed more often than those in bottles. The reason for this is actually simple: most patients need a medicine for only a short time period. Hence, a sheet of only a few doses. Meanwhile prescriptions in bottles are meant for ongoing medication. One is better suited than the other, but it depends on the needs of the patient.