Drug sorption to glass and plastics

The general properties of glass and plastics, the main packaging materials for pharmaceutical products, are described. The use of plastic materials in medicine and pharmaceutical packaging has increased considerably in the last decade, but research on drug/plastics interactions has to a certain extent lagged behind. This review draws together much of the current information on drug/plastic interactions, discussing mechanisms of drug-binding to plastic materials and highlighting potential problems arising from the use of plastic containers, or use of cellulose ester filters for clarification or sterilisation of drug solutions.