Adherence Packaging Market Size & Outlook, 2025-2033

Adherence Packaging Market Overview

The global adherence packaging market size was valued at USD 1024.52 million in 2024 and is projected to grow from USD 1082.91 million in 2025 to USD 1687.31 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period (2025-2033). The growth of the market is driven by several factors, such as the rise in medical non-adherence, the aim to reduce medical drug waste, and the development of technology like remote dispensing systems.

Key Market Insights

• North America dominated the adherence packaging industry in 2024, accounting for around 37% of the global market share.
• Based on material, the plastic (PE, PET, PVC, and PP) segment led the market in 2024.
• Based on type, the multi-dose packaging segment is the dominant type in the global market.
• Based on packaging type, the blisters segment led the market in 2024.
• Based on end-user, the pharmacies segment is the dominant end-user segment in the global market.

Market Size & Forecast

• 2024 Market Size: USD 1024.52 million
• 2033 Projected Market Size: USD 1687.31 million
• CAGR (2025–2033): 5.7%
• North America: Largest market in 2024
• Europe: Fastest-growing region

Adherence packaging is mainly utilized in healthcare settings to eliminate cumbersome medication planners and arrange medicine consumption the way patients do. The patient receives it throughout the day or as time passes to make taking their medicine as prescribed by their doctor easier. Patients who are ill, such as those with diabetes or high blood pressure, experience it continuously. Patients with cardiac problems must adhere to medication regimens to prevent relapses or hospital readmissions.

To get more insights about this report Download Free Sample Report

Adherence Packaging Market Drivers

Increasing Need to Reduce Medication Waste

The adherence packaging market is expanding due to the increased demand to reduce medicine waste. Medication waste costs the healthcare system a lot of money and has terrible environmental effects. As a result, one intriguing way to ensure long-term medicine supply and utilization is to prevent the medication from going unused along the pharmaceutical supply chain. Manufacturers can aid in pharmaceuticals' long-term collection and usage by extending shelf life, choosing the most ecologically friendly storage options, and changing package dimensions. Distributors are responsible for streamlining shelf-life regulations and improving stock management. 

Market Restraining Factors

High Costs of Automated Systems for Installation and Maintenance

Automated systems' high installation and upkeep costs are anticipated to restrain overall market growth over the projection period. The high cost of automation solutions is another problem, especially when automating small-scale manufacturing lines, where the price could be more affordable. The displacement of workers is one of the most prevalent adverse effects of automation. The employee whose job has been replaced by a machine will nearly always endure emotional stress, regardless of the potential social benefits of retraining displaced workers for other employment. The individual could lose their work in addition to being moved geographically. Another source of stress is having to move to find new jobs.

Key Market Opportunities

High Rate of Non-Adherence to Medication

Treatment success is significantly influenced by patient adherence. Failure to adhere to treatment plans seriously affects the patient and the healthcare system. Patients who do not take their drugs as directed suffer severe deterioration in their condition, die, and have higher medical expenses. Numerous factors are likely to have an impact on adherence. Issues involving patients, healthcare providers, and the healthcare system, as well as interactions among them, could all be addressed as adherence hurdles.

According to a Truven Health Analytics-NPR Health Poll, 67% of patients do not take their medication as prescribed because of the high expense of these medications, contributing to a multibillion-dollar issue that is especially problematic for population health management initiatives.

Regional Analysis

North America dominated the adherence packaging market with the largest revenue share of 37% in 2024. The United States holds a sizable proportion of the adherence packaging industry in North America, one of the largest regions in the world. The abundance of small and large sellers in the nation is to blame for the increased demand. For instance, the company offers pouch packaging solutions and blister packaging solutions to various retail pharmacies, hospitals, discharge patients, long-term care, assisted living, skilled nursing communities, physicians and accountable care organizations (ACOs), home health agencies, group homes, and correctional facilities.

• For example, more than 4,500 pharmacy automation solutions from Parata have been installed in pharmacies across North America in various situations.

Europe Adherence Packaging Market Trends

Europe is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.70% during the forecast period. Controlled dose solution providers devoted to enhancing health outcomes through medication adherence are present throughout Europe. For instance, Jones Health Care Group offers over 12,000 pharmacies in 20 different nations a full selection of adherence packaging. Additionally, at Venalink teams (a Jones Healthcare Group Company) based in the UK and Spain, certified pharmacists work directly with healthcare professionals, organizations, and institutions. They work together to develop novel packaging, best practices, and pharmaceutical administration techniques for the European and British markets. The market concentrates on circular design ideas for goods to sell more sustainable packaging.

Asia-Pacific Adherence Packaging Market Trends

In Asia-Pacific, the medication adherence packaging market is expanding due to the rising adoption of packaging types that enable patients to monitor their prescription admittance. Patients and manufacturers are reluctant to migrate to medication adherence packaging because of the financial costs associated with it compared to other types of packaging. Australian pharmacists offer services that could be categorized as part of the American model of pharmaceutical treatment management, such as home medication reviews, MedsCheck, and Diabetes MedsCheck (MTM). Additionally, adherence packaging is used, especially for senior patients, nursing home residents, and individuals who take many prescriptions. In the Asia-Pacific region, multi-dose adherence packaging has become more widespread. 

Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico can take a sizable portion of the market under study during the forecast period. One of the critical markets for producing adhesion packaging products by well-known industry players has been the countries in the area. The pharmaceutical industry is driving the region's adherence packaging market. Companies from various areas have significantly invested in Brazil's market to grow their businesses. Moreover, because the country's pharmaceutical business provides more prospects, producers and suppliers are concentrating on ophthalmology and rhinology products with irradiation. Additionally, several new and ongoing medication users use adherence packaging, which is linked to modest refill persistence and adherence improvements.

Material Insights

The plastic (PE, PET, PVC, and PP) segment is the highest contributor to the market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.70% during the forecast period. Drug formulations frequently use plastic material packaging (PE, PET, PVC, and PP) because it provides safety, reduces breaking losses, and is simple to manufacture and design. Plastic allows a clear view of the goods and makes for stylish and secure packaging. It is also dependable, hygienic, light, transparent, and reasonably priced.

A polyester-based thermoplastic polymer generated from PE is polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Compared to glass, PET maintains a strong protective structure, demonstrates moisture resistance, and can reduce weight by up to 90%, making shipping more affordable. PET qualities can be further enhanced using colorants, UV filters, oxygen barriers and scavengers, and other additives to create packaging tailored to a particular brand's needs.

Medical grade paper often has strong microbiological barrier qualities, a water-repellent covering, and excellent heat seal and peel capabilities. The base paper can be laminated to foil for blister packaging applications such as over-the-counter and prescription medications, vitamins, and dietary supplements. The medical industry needs paper packaging that is lightweight and free of contamination. Bandages, gauze, and various medical uses also make use of it. Paper has a particular sticky surface that makes it easy to remove applications from its packaging while maintaining the bandage's natural adherence. Most blister-packing machines typically use pressure and heat to create a hollow out of a plastic or paper sheet.

Type Insights

The multi-dose packaging segment owns the highest market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.70% during the forecast period. Two subcategories of multi-dose packaging systems include blister card packaging systems and pouch/strip packaging systems. The advantages of multi-dose packaging involve helping patients with complex prescription regimens, enhancing patient safety, and reducing pharmaceutical waste, fueling the segment's expansion. Pouches and strips are among the multi-dose packaging systems anticipated to experience significant growth throughout the forecast period due to their affordability, ability to reduce material waste during production, and ability to increase reproducibility for continuous operations. Multi-dose packages have been created due to the value of medication adherence and the advantages of synchronizing such drugs.

Unit dosage services package Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) solid dose medications into individual dose containers for ingestion (tablets, capsules, caplets, soft gels, liquid gels, gel caps, and so on). These unit-dose blister-format packaging options are helpful for hospitals, extended care (EC), long-term care (LTC), and online pharmacies. Increased efforts to boost patient adherence to advised drug treatment regimens will increase the usage of a blister, strip packs, and other unit-dose containers. Expanding the use of unit-dose packaging systems in clinical drug trial applications due to patient adherence and recordkeeping advantages will further boost the growth prospects of unit-dose packaging systems.

Packaging Type Insights

The blisters segment is the highest contributor to the market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.10% during the forecast period. Compact medical devices and medications are protected from oxygen, odor, and moisture by blister packing, which also lengthens their shelf life. Poor drug adherence is a common issue that raises the risk of chronic illness complications and healthcare costs. Blister pack packaging interventions have been strongly advised to address drug adherence. Using blister packs and dose strips to organize tablets by date or time of day makes keeping track of medication schedules much simpler. Even the largest blister sheets likely only have room for ten tablets of average size in each compartment.

Small- to medium-sized soft, semi-soft sterile medical supplies are frequently offered in pouches, which are utilized as containers since they are not susceptible to damage during storage and transportation. The drug doses are enclosed in tiny plastic pouches joined in a long strip using pouch packaging. Only five to ten standard-sized pills can fit in a pocket at a time. OTC goods can quickly fill the area because many vitamins and other supplements are large. In general, only major shops like CVS or internet pharmacies with low overhead sell pouches due to the expensive machinery required for pouch packaging. Players like the drugstore in Brindisi have been utilizing the pouch packager solution ATP since 2012 and SmartCardRx before that. The remedy employed a simple-to-fill tray that assisted the personnel in Brindisi in streamlining their operation.

End-User Industry Insights

The global adherence packaging market is bifurcated into pharmacies, hospitals, and other end-user industries. the pharmacies segment owns the highest market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.70% during the forecast period. Medication compliance is a significant concern for patients and pharmacists in response to the rising volume. Pharmacists can effectively and efficiently improve patient safety by utilizing technology solutions. According to a National Community Pharmacists Association report, nearly 90% of community pharmacies sought small business government subsidies under the CARES Act. Technology-driven pharmaceutical packaging is a tangible reminder for patients to take their medication as directed, says Gerald Finken, RPh, CEO of RxE2 Inc. 

There is pressure on hospitals and health systems to produce more value for payers and patients. By promoting greater adherence, compliance packaging can aid in improving patient outcomes. Five strategies for compliance packaging that promote adherence: make it simpler for patients to receive all their medications in one container instead of numerous bottles and packages. Allows patients to have their prescriptions delivered to their homes or to pick them up at the outpatient pharmacy before discharge. It makes it more straightforward for patients to take the appropriate medications at the correct times rather than forcing them to remember all these things while they are ill. Eliminates gaps in care that could impact health outcomes by enhancing cooperation between prescribers and pharmacists to provide a seamless continuum of care. 

List of key players in Adherence Packaging Market

1. Westrock Company
2. Keystone Folding Box Co
3. Cardinal Health Inc.
4. Omnicell Inc.
5. Jones Healthcare Group
6. Drug Package LLC
7. Manrex Limited
8. Medicine-on-time LLC
9. Rx Systems Inc.

To get more findings about this report Download Market Share

Recent Developments

• In May 2025, Sanner Group launched its optimized TabTec CR packaging, featuring a child-resistant “Press & Flip” closure, with an integrated desiccant for moisture removal, and a slim, user-friendly design. This improves medication safety, stability, and ease of use which are the key factors in helping patients take medicines correctly and consistently.
• In February 2025, DosePacker introduced its enhanced medication management systems. These smart adherence packaging solutions provide real-time monitoring and reminders, thereby assisting patients follow their prescribed regimens precisely by improving tracking and reducing chances of missed doses.