Blister Packs Of Tablets - Why Are Some So Elaborate And Odd?

[joko]

most blister packs seem to contain the necessary number of tablet in a couple of rows with little extra space - but you do see some that are ridiculously large, lots of wasted space, weird dents and lines etc that seemingly serve no purpose, meaning that the box it goes in also has to be larger than necessary - i often get a pack of just 7 pills that comes in a box that is almost double the size of a credit card!

is there some reason for this?
surely it costs more in plastic, covering foil, cardboard and printing in the long run, so why do it?

is it just down to their machinery? that that is the size their plant makes and they just have to adjust it? why not just make a pack with more in then?
or double up then cut them in 2?

thanks

[Obiter]

Couldn't agree more. I am of an age when all pills came in a bottle, surmounted by a piece of cotton wool. One of the pills I take daily is so tiny that often when I press the blister it shatters and I have to sup crumbs.

[sandyRoe]

Could you not cut the foil on the other side of the blister with a nail before squeezing it out?

[Hypognosis]

Logically, the packing materials are ludicrously cheap. Also, if you sell in bulk, people expect a more competitive price. Why wouldna drug company want to do that.

Also, NHS in England can prescribe in smaller chunks and make more dough on the prescription charges, surely?

I wonder what they would prescribe for my cynicism?
;-)

[Obiter]

What I don't get is why some of my tablets come in bottles and others in blister packs. I have now resorted to saving these bottles, relabelling them and filling them with those in blisters. I have to do this every 8 weeks and it takes me about an hour. What a faff!

[retrotv]

Latest Lanzoperaole packaging needs a Machete to access the granular tablet under the guard foil.

The box is at least three-times the size of the previous box.

Why?

[Buenchico]

Packaging for different types of tablets is often deliberately distinctive in order to aid visually handicapped people ensure that they're taking the correct tablets.

[gingejbee]

Many capsules need protection from dampness...or they stick together. Hence, blister-packed. And a lot of space may be needed around the individual blisters to make removal of just one much easier.

[Everhelpful]

Worst ones I find are "Atorvastatin" ridiculously large.

[DaisyNonna]

My capsules are not in blister packs, my tablets are. So much for sticking capsules!

[Old_Geezer]

Maybe there are standard sizes one can use and rejigging the controls to make something specific costs more ? Just a guess.