Canadian pharmacies are facing increasing pressure on profitability: rising operating costs, complex inventory management, and space constraints in the lab. In this context, every operational inefficiency has a direct impact on margins.

Often underestimated, medication packaging directly affects storage, productivity, and indirect costs.

In this article, discover 5 ways pharmacies can improve their efficiency and profitability by rethinking their practices .


Lever #1:
Optimize space and reduce inventory with multi-format packaging


Pharmacy Insight

In many pharmacies, storage space is unnecessarily overloaded: a proliferation of vial or ointment jar formats, different caps for various uses, and so on. This variety complicates and weighs down inventory management and requires daily time for low-value-added tasks.

Best Practice Observed

An increasingly widespread approach is to reduce the number of units by prioritizing packaging that can cover multiple uses. Modular or multifunctional formats meet various needs with fewer distinct products, while maintaining the compliance and safety required in pharmacy settings.


Our response to this challenge

A single product that meets several needs, simplifying your daily management.

Your Benefit

  • Up to 75% fewer units to manage daily.
  • Simplified ordering and restocking.
  • Time savings for patient services.

Lever #2:
Build patient loyalty with eco-friendly pharmaceutical packaging


Pharmacy Insight

82% of Canadians believe it is essential for companies to act responsibly on social and environmental issues¹. This represents a unique opportunity for your pharmacy to stand out and build a strong connection with a patient base that is increasingly mindful of its choices.

Best Practice Observed

Eco-designed products are not just a responsible choice. They are also powerful drivers of loyalty and attraction, contributing directly to the sustainability and profitability of your pharmacy.


Our response to this challenge

Our eco-designed packaging enhances your pharmacy’s reputation with patients who are engaged and environmentally conscious.


How much plastic, cardboard, and GHG emissions could you avoid?

Use our impact calculator to find out in less than a minute!

Your Benefit

A unique positioning, aligned with your patients’ expectations and values.

Lever #3:
Increase laboratory productivity through ergonomic packaging design


Pharmacy Insight

Some packaging requires unnecessary handling or complex labeling. Without you always noticing, these actions are real time-wasters for your team and hinder their productivity. These daily irritants can slow down service or cause frustration among staff.

Best Practice 

Ergonomic and well-designed packaging helps reduce the number of steps, makes labeling easier, and speeds up both prescription preparation and verification.


Our response to this challenge

Our medication packaging features ergonomic designs created to enhance efficiency. Because we worked closely with pharmacy teams, they were developed to minimize handling, speeding up prescription preparation and verification.

Your gain
Faster service, happier and more efficient staff, fewer errors, and a smoother lab workflow.

Lever #4:
Reduce contamination risks


Pharmacy Insight

While traditional vials comply with standards, it is possible to go further to ensure patient safety while reducing environmental impact.

Best Practice

Innovative packaging can help limit the risks of contamination and contribute to a cleaner work environment, while also reducing unnecessary waste production.


Our response to this challenge

Our EcoloVial and EcoloVial EV1 vials are molded in a single piece, heat-sealed, and shipped closed, thus eliminating:

  • the risks of contamination or dust accumulation inside the packaging,
  • the need for plastic bags in shipping boxes, which further reduces waste generated in the pharmacy.

Your gain
Safer medication, fewer losses, a healthier workspace for your team… and a greener pharmacy!

Lever #5:
Reduce packaging waste management costs

Pharmacy Insight


Conventional packaging uses excessive amounts of raw materials and generates a significant volume of shipping waste (plastic, cardboard, bags). The result? Lost time managing unnecessary volumes, cluttered storage space, and additional costs related to waste management and recycling.


Best Practice


Reducing materials at the source and rethinking logistics helps optimize storage, simplify waste management, and lower associated costs.


Our response to this challenge

Eco-designed packaging reduces material at the source and optimizes shipping. Concretely:

  • Up to 44% less plastic in vials
  • 30% recycled content in blister packs
  • 100% recycled plastic in ointment jars
  • Optimized shipping: more products per box, zero plastic bags, recycled cardboard

Since 2010, together with Canadian pharmacies, we have avoided nearly 2.5 million plastic bags and 236 tons of cardboard.

Your gain
Less waste = more space, lower costs, and fewer headaches!

Boost Your Pharmacy’s Efficiency Today

At EcoloPharm, we are the only manufacturer to offer eco-friendly prescription drug packaging that enhances operational performance while reducing environmental impact.

Join the 4,600+ pharmacies that have already transformed their efficiency with our sustainable pharmacy packaging solutions.

Order your trial kit today to test our packaging in real-life conditions.
Or contact us directly for a personalized needs assessment

¹ Social Values Building Meaningful Brands: A Guide For Canadian Brand Marketers

FAQ

1. Why are packaging choices important in a pharmacy?

Because they directly impact lab efficiency, patient safety, and even the pharmacy’s image.

2. How can packaging increase a pharmacy’s profitability?

  • Streamline inventory: multi-format/multi-function packaging frees up space and reduces management time.
  • Attract customers: responsible packaging strengthens image and builds patient loyalty.
  • Boost efficiency: ergonomic designs cut down on handling and improve staff productivity.
  • Lower costs: eco-designed packaging reduces waste and associated disposal fees.

3. What are the benefits of EcoloPharm packaging?

Fewer formats to manage, time savings, enhanced safety, ergonomics designed for staff, and up to 35% less plastic.

4. Are ecodesigned packaging solutions more expensive?

Eco-design helps cut indirect costs: less raw material, lower-energy production, and fewer secondary packages (cardboard boxes, plastic bags, etc.). These packages are therefore high-performing, eco-friendly, and generally offered at competitive prices.

Fewer steps. Greater efficiency.

Our innovative packaging speeds up lab operations: fewer steps, less clutter, less wasted time.

Free trial kit | Delivery included | No commitment

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Fewer steps. Greater efficiency.

More time at the counter. Fewer boxes in the back.

Free trial kit delivered to your pharmacy.

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