Demand for pharmaceutical packaging in the United States will increase 5.5 percent annually to US$16 billion in 2012, according to a new study released by Chicago-based market research firm The Freedonia Group.

The study, entitled "Pharmaceutical Packaging", examines the U.S. market for pharmaceutical packaging products and materials, including primary containers, secondary containers, and packaging accessories; and also features a discussion of key pharmaceutical packaging end-use markets.

According to the study, the fastest growth is anticipated for prefillable syringes and vials, which will expand applications as advances in biotechnology lead to the introduction of new therapies that must be injected.

The study also predicts regulations and standards that address such issues as barrier protection, infection control, patient drug compliance, drug dispensing errors and drug counterfeiting will result in strong growth for high value-added containers accessories, especially parenteral vials and flip-top closures, and plastic dispensing bottles and closures.

The cost of the 319-page study is $4,700. A link to the study description page can be accessed at http://www.freedoniagroup.com/DocumentDetails.aspx?ReferrerId=FE-STAN&studyid=2341