Why pharmaceutical colours are so important?

Every colour has an influence on the human mind. No wonder, colour science remains significant in the consumption behaviour of medicines by patients. Colour is not merely selected by pharma companies but it is carefully chosen after extensive research. Pharmaceutical colors manufacturers follow certain standards to create the suitable colours for various medicines because colour properties can expedite the wellness of patients and provide other benefits.

Colour - The Healer

Every colour signifies something. If blue is for calmness then red is for vitality. The colour itself starts the healing process even before the medicine is consumed. Colour enhances the effect of medicine on different illnesses.

Identify better with colour

Apart from the visual appeal, colours are used in medicine to differentiate them and thus, avoid confusion. Elderly patients will find it easier to find the right medicine based on colour codes. Pharmaceutical Colour Measurement devices help to select the right consistency and attain accuracy in colours. The exact proportion of colour should be used as per the guidelines of regulatory authorities for appropriate usage of colours in pharma products.

Follow standards for wellness

Pharmaceutical colours can be used in internal medicines such as tablets; capsules etc. or for external applications such as ointments, gel etc. These colours have to be prepared as per the methods and tests put forward by governing authorities. Any kind of lapse on following the guidelines can lead to low quality of products and sometimes lead to permanent problems for patients that can even prove fatal.

Better sales with colours

On the business side, colours affect sales figures too. For example, a tablet in yellow colour of a specific shape can be related to a brand which the patients can easily connect to. On the other hand, a white tablet in a commonly available shape gets lost among many other similar looking tablets in the market. The colour of the medicine gives it a distinct identity.

Certain colours such as natural colours are exempt from certification while other chemical-based colours need to be certified by pharmaceutical color manufacturers. Metal oxides, aluminium lakes and non-synthetics are pigments used in colours for pharmaceutical products. Water soluble colours are used in medicines for dispersion properties that help consume the medicine. Pharma colourants such as organic, inorganic or water-soluble are selected based on their properties.

Control of batch to batch colour variation is of utmost importance for pharmaceutical colors manufacturers. Any variation can lead to quality concerns in colour coating. Manufacturing of these colours depend on the uncompromising quality standards set by the governing authorities and varies from country to country.

Koel colour is a leading manufacturer of colours for pharmaceutical products. The company is a specialist in organic colourants, inorganic colourants and water-soluble colours for pharma. The high-quality and well-researched pharmaceutical colours including pharmaceutical dyes by Koel colours are widely used by leading pharma companies with stringent policies.

What's your take on significance of colours? Any insights on pharmaceutical colours that you find fascinating?

Koel is the author of this article on cosmetic dyes in india here.