The Ultimate Guide to Pharmacy Vials: Types, Sizes, and Best Practices

The often underappreciated aspect of delivering the medications vital to a patient’s health is the prescription packaging it comes in. It keeps the medication, including antibiotics and vaccines, safely stored, fresh, and secure. When we think of prescription packaging, vials tend to be the first image that comes to mind. However, even within the limited scope of vials, there is a whole world of options, from classic glass vials to innovative smart vials.

At Total Pharmacy Supply, we offer different pharmacy packaging solutions, including vials. As a leading wholesale supplier, we often help our customers choose the pharmacy vials that best fit their storage, safety, patient care, and compliance needs.

Let’s talk about different types of pharmacy vials.  

A. Types of Pharmacy Vials

A pharmacy vial is a simple but incredibly versatile device. These small glass or plastic containers come in different shapes and sizes and with unique features. Knowing how each type of vial works can help pharmacies ensure patient safety and compliance.

1) Glass Vials vs. Plastic Vials

Glass Vials:

These are the oldest types of pharmacy vials. Glass vials offer several unique advantages over their plastic counterparts. The most noted benefit is excellent resistance to chemical corrosion and temperature changes. Most pharmacies use two types of glass materials - soda-lime glass and borosilicate glass.

Soda-lime glass is the most common and least expensive type of glass. Although useful for most pharmacy packaging needs, these glass vials lack resistance to temperature changes. The resistance to corrosive chemicals is more or less fair. These pharmacy vials are suitable for storing slightly acidic and neutral injectables.

Borosilicate glass vials have at least 5% boric oxide, which increases hydrolytic and thermal resistance. These pharmacy vials are ideal for storing photo-sensitive medications, especially injections. The downside is these vials are expensive.

Plastic Vials:

Plastic vials have quickly become popular. These pharmacy vials are typically made from polyethylene or polypropylene. The translucent, light-resistant polypropylene makes them a great choice for storing pills and oral suspensions.

Besides being a cost-effective pharmacy packaging solution, these vials are durable and easy to use. Even if one gets dropped on the floor, it’s not going to shatter into pieces like a glass vial.

Another advantage is that plastic vials often have child-resistant caps orand tamper-evident seals, like those with palm & turn caps at TPS. These pharmacy vials conform to USP light & tight standards as well as CPSC child-resistant and senior use requirements.

Choosing the right type of pharmacy vial depends on factors like medication needs, storage requirements, and patient safety. Also, pharmacies have to comply with relevant regulations for storing and dispensing medication.

2) Amber vs. Clear Vials

Amber Vials:

Many drugs, particularly injectables, are light-sensitive. Pharmacies are required to store such meds in amber vials. These vials have a rich, dark color that absorbs several light waves, including UV light. These pharmacy vials are also resistant to heat shock and chemical leaching.

Clear Vials:

Clear vials, as the name suggests, are transparent. They are colorless, which makes it easier to identify the contents without opening the vial. A quick visual identification means prescriptions can be filled quickly and efficiently. These vials can be made of glass or plastic, although the latter seems to be more popular.

B. Different Sizes of Pharmacy Vials

Like materials, pharmacy vials are also classified based on their size. In most cases, pharmacies use standard-sized vials to store meds and fill prescriptions. However, sometimes, specialized vials are needed.

1) Standard Sizes

The standard size for pharmacy vials varies from 6 dram (about 22 mL) to larger sizes like 60 dram. Generally, the length of treatment, dosage, and the type of medicines decide the size of a vial. Smaller vials are best for filling potent meds that need precise dosage. Larger vials are more suited for bulk medications, larger dosages, or lengthy treatments.

Pharmacies also need to think about storage limitations. Larger containers tend to occupy more shelf space, while small pharmacy vials are easily misplaced. Pharmacies must keep all the vials organized to ensure patient safety.

2) Specialty Sizes

Sometimes, standard pharmacy vial sizes are not the best fit. For example, highly potent meds, especially injectables, are needed in tiny dosages. Pharmacies need to use specially designed small vials to store such medications. Similarly, large vials are useful for storing commonly dispensed medications. Compounding pharmacies might also use unconventional sizes to store and dispense active ingredients used in medications.

C. Know the Best Practices for Pharmacy Vial Usage

Whether a glass or a plastic vial, pharmacies should use the right one to ensure compliance and patient safety. Here’s what every pharmacy needs to consider.

1. Storage Guidelines:

The US Pharmacopeia, or USP, sets several standards for the identity, strength, quality, and purity of medicines, including storage. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), states, and other oversight organizations enforce many of these standards.

Pharmacies need to stick to the prescribed storage guidelines. This may include monitoring and controlling the required temperature and humidity levels. This simple tactic will keep the medicines from degrading.

Organize all the pharmacy vials and meds in a way that boosts accuracy, safety, and productivity. Also, separate the vials based on type and use to reduce dispensing errors. 

2. Labeling and Documentation

Accurate labeling and thorough documentation are the backbone of pharmacy practice. Labels must include essential information like the drug's name, concentration, expiration date, and patient instructions. Compliance with regulatory requirements, such as those set by the FDA and USP, is non-negotiable.

Update your labeling process as required by the law. Also, keep a detailed log of medicine recalls and adverse reactions. This documentation will help streamline your dispensing process and improve patient safety.

3. Contamination Prevention

Contamination can compromise patient safety. Be sure to sterilize reusable pharmacy vials. Also, use a secure seal for single-use vials. This will keep all your medicines safe and contamination-free. Pharmacies need to follow strict handling protocols. This usually includes using latex or nitrile gloves and sterile equipment, especially during compounding, repackaging, and filling prescriptions. Train the staff to help them understand these protocols.

4. Compliance with Regulations

As mentioned, USP, FDA, and DEA, among others, have strict guidelines for storing, dispensing, and handling drugs. Stay informed about the latest regulatory updates and implement quality control measures that ensure compliance.

Some of these measures include:

• Regular audits of storage
• Labeling accuracy
• Contamination prevention
• Detailed record keeping
• Ongoing staff education and training 

These simple steps can go a long way in reducing the risk of potential penalties and legal actions.

D. Emerging Trends in Pharmacy Vials and Medication Packaging

The pharmaceutical industry is evolving rapidly. Pharmacies worldwide are relying on technologies such as Telepharmacy to ensure quick and efficient patient care. Similarly, technology is making strides in prescription packaging solutions, including pharmacy vials.

For example, many pharmacies now use RFID chips or QR codes to track and monitor vials. This technology offers a new level of support for patient adherence. It also helps pharmacies avoid dispensing errors and streamline their supply.

Another trend in the healthcare industry is increasing environmental awareness. Like most other industries, pharmacies are also experimenting with sustainable medication packaging solutions, including vials made with recycled plastic and glass or sustainably sourced materials.

Conclusion

Pharmacy vials are truly the unsung heroes that ensure patient safety and regulatory compliance. Understanding the unique features of each vial, its sizes, and types can help pharmacists and pharmacy technicians alike. Also, invest in continued training and education as the industry is evolving faster than ever. Hopefully, this post will hit the ground running for pharmacies like yours.

Need pharmacy vials that comply with safety regulations? You’ve come to the right place. At Total Pharmacy Supply, we have a wide range of vials. Start browsing our inventory or call (800) 878-2822 now.