ACG's Dr Sheikh Akbar Ali talks PVC in healthcare
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) remains one of the most widely used polymers in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, despite growing scrutiny over its environmental impact. Speaking at the 12th Vinyl India Business Summit, Dr Sheikh Akbar Ali, general manager and head of development and technology at ACG World, emphasised the critical role PVC continues to play in medicine packaging, particularly in blister packs.
15 Apr 2025 | 352 Views | By Anhata Rooprai
“PVC came as a saviour,” said Dr Ali, referring to regulatory demands in the 1960s for tamper-proof pharmaceutical packaging in Europe. “From that time, PVC has transformed,” he added, noting its improved barrier properties. ACG now manufactures coated and laminated PVC capable of achieving water vapour transmission rates as low as 0.07 grammes per square metre per day, suitable for protecting ultra-sensitive drugs such as oncology products.
Today, PVC accounts for 57% of pharmaceutical blister packaging, and when combined with other polymers, it is present in 97% of blister formats globally. Beyond packaging, PVC is integral in the production of essential medical supplies such as blood bags, gloves, and masks, contributing 26% of the global medical polymer market — expected to reach USD 48.5-billion by 2030.
However, PVC’s future is being re-evaluated amid increasing environmental and regulatory pressures. “There is no globally harmonised regulation for pharmaceutical-grade PVC,” Dr Ali explained. Inconsistent global standards force manufacturers to either over-engineer for universal compliance or complicate their supply chains.
India, as the world's largest supplier of generic medicines and poised to double its pharmaceutical exports to USD 65-billion by 2030, is particularly impacted. While secondary and tertiary packaging innovations are underway, including alternatives without PVC — such as Bayer’s recent launch — Dr Ali believes PVC will continue to coexist with newer materials.
The Indian government is also aligning policies to improve the ease of business in pharma exports. In January 2025, the Commerce Ministry withdrew primary-level barcoding requirements under the track and trace system, streamlining regulations. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has mandated QR codes for 300 drug brands, signalling a shift toward modern regulatory frameworks.
“In one way, we are happy,” Dr Ali concluded. “This friction is only creating pharmaceutical blister packaging that is more sustainable. Isn’t that what we all want?”