Pharmaceutical Contract Packaging Market Size, Share, and Industry Analysis By Material (Plastic, Paper & Paperboard, Glass, Metal, and Others), By Product Type (Bottles, Vials & Ampoules, Blister Packs, Boxes & Cartons, Trays, and Others), By Drug Delivery Mode (Oral Drug Delivery, Pulmonary Drug Delivery, Nasal Drug Delivery, Topical Drug Delivery, Injectable Drug Delivery, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2026-2034

The global pharmaceutical contract packaging market size was valued at USD 36.58 billion in 2025. The market is projected to grow from USD 38.74 billion in 2026 to USD 61.33 billion by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.91% during the forecast period.

Pharmaceutical contract packaging is a packaging service that is majorly opted by pharmaceutical companies to reduce their operational costs and focus on their main operation of drug manufacturing. The contract packaging ensures that the pharmaceutical companies meet the serialization requirements regulated by government bodies. The cost-effective and convenient choice of packaging offered by contract services boosts market growth. Moreover, the rising investments by government bodies, organizations, and manufacturers also drive market development.

• For instance, in December 2022, a leading co-packer and filler, PharmaPac, highly invested in its new businesses. The company invested in upgrading a current Noack blister line and added a grader, metal detector, de-humidifier, new feed system, lifting frame for bulk, and up-scaled other line areas.

The rapidly increasing demand for sustainable and reusable packaging and the augmenting prevalence of atmosphere-sensitive drugs is a major factor driving the market growth. Additionally, the rising number of new drug approvals also boosts the growth of the global pharmaceutical contract packaging market.

Despite the significant benefits of pharmaceutical contract packaging, a few factors are limiting the market growth. The easy availability of manufacturers' in-house packaging options is a major hindrance to the market. In addition, the rising risk of poor packaging quality and the spread of counterfeit drugs also impede the market growth.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a crucial impact on various end-use industries. However, the growing pharmaceutical industry positively influenced the expansion of pharmaceutical contract packaging during the pandemic. The rising demand for bulk and cost-effective pharmaceutical packaging solutions has driven the market growth.

SEGMENTATION

KEY INSIGHTS

The report covers the following key insights:

• Recent Advancements in the Pharmaceutical Contract Packaging Market
• Key Industry Trends
• Regulatory Landscape for the Pharmaceutical Contract Packaging Market
• Key Industry Developments (Mergers, Acquisitions, and Partnerships)
• Impact of COVID-19 on the Market

ANALYSIS BY MATERIAL

Based on material, the market is segmented into plastic, paper & paperboard, glass, metal, and others.

The plastic segment dominates the global pharmaceutical contract packaging market. The material is most versatile owing to its light, flexible, and cost-effective features, due to which it can be used to produce pharmaceutical packaging of various shapes and sizes. Moreover, as it is hard to break, it is mainly utilized in the manufacturing of syringes, bottles, and other products.

ANALYSIS BY PRODUCT TYPE

Based on product type, the market is segmented into bottles, vials & ampoules, blister packs, boxes & cartons, trays, and others.

The bottles segment leads the global market. The exceptional barrier properties offered by the bottles are crucial in protecting pharmaceutical products from external factors such as moisture, light, and oxygen, which can compromise their stability and efficacy.

ANALYSIS BY DRUG DELIVERY MODE

Based on the drug delivery mode, the market is segmented into oral drug delivery, pulmonary drug delivery, nasal drug delivery, topical drug delivery, injectable drug delivery, and others.

The oral drug delivery segment is anticipated to dominate the market. High patient compliance, least sterility constraints, cost-effectiveness, flexibility in the design of dosage form and ease of production are the major factors that enhance the demand for oral drug delivery mode.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

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The pharmaceutical contract packaging market has been studied across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

Asia Pacific is the dominating region in the global pharmaceutical contract packaging market. The rapidly growing demand for biological therapies and rigid protocols associated with packaging processes has boosted the demand for contract pharmaceutical packaging, further driving regional growth. Moreover, the presence of a large number of contract pharmaceutical packaging companies also aids regional growth.

North America is the second-dominating region and is forecasted to grow massively over the upcoming years. The rising demand for personalized medicine and the adoption of innovative packaging methods to fulfill the rapidly changing consumer preferences in the U.S. is contributing to the regional growth.

The strong healthcare infrastructure, along with the rising demand for pharmaceutical drugs in Europe, boosts the market growth in this region.

Latin America is the fastest-growing region and will experience mounting demand due to the need for contract manufacturing and packaging of major pharmaceutical products. The soaring pharmaceutical sector and rising demand for cost-effective packaging solutions in the Middle East & African region boost the market growth.

KEY PLAYERS COVERED

The report includes the profiles of key players such as Tjoapack, CCL Industries, Sharp Services LLC, Gerresheimer AG, Vetter Pharma International GmbH, Alcami Corporation Inc., AbbVie Inc., PCI Pharma Services, Nelipak Healthcare, and Aphena Pharma Solutions.

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

• In September 2022, PCI Pharma Services (PCI), a global contract development and manufacturing company, significantly expanded its facility in Tredegar, Wales. The expansion focuses on keeping pace with the market growth of powerful and targeted oncology therapies and is dedicated to the packaging and manufacturing of solid oral-dose tablets and capsules.
• In October 2021, a Netherlands-based contract packaging organization, Tjoapack, announced the acquisition of a leading U.S.-based healthcare packaging services business, Pharma Packaging Solutions. The acquisition generates an opportunity for Tjoapack to become a global leader in contract packaging and supply chain services for the pharmaceutical market.
• In February 2021, Sepha announced the launch of a contract packaging service to fulfil the increasing demand for small batch production. The company launched cost-effective cold-form and thermoform blisters packaging, trays for medical devices, MAP packs, and temperature & humidity controlled packaging.