Introduction: Choosing the right container is vital in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing. Factors influencing choice of containers MCQs With Answer covers chemical compatibility, barrier properties, permeability, light and moisture protection, extractables/leachables, sterilization, container-closure integrity, and regulatory requirements. B.Pharm students must understand how drug–container interactions, storage conditions, dosage form, and patient safety drive selection of glass, plastics (PVC, HDPE, PET), metals, and multilayer laminates. Practical considerations include cost, manufacturability, labeling, and stability data. This topic links formulation science with quality assurance and regulatory compliance for safe, effective medicines. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which factor is most critical when selecting a container for a chemically unstable aqueous injectable?
- Cost of the container material
- Compatibility and chemical inertness with the drug
- Color of the packaging
- Presence of a tamper-evident seal
Correct Answer: Compatibility and chemical inertness with the drug
Q2. Which container property is most important for protecting a photosensitive drug?
- High oxygen permeability
- Light barrier (opacity or UV protection)
- Flexible wall strength
- Low melting point
Correct Answer: Light barrier (opacity or UV protection)
Q3. For an oral liquid prone to adsorption by container surfaces, which material property reduces loss of active drug?
- High surface area
- Hydrophobic surface with high adsorption
- Low adsorption or chemically inert surface
- High porosity
Correct Answer: Low adsorption or chemically inert surface
Q4. Which container is generally preferred for a parenteral formulation requiring autoclave sterilization?
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle
- Borosilicate glass vial
- Cardboard carton
- Polystyrene syringe
Correct Answer: Borosilicate glass vial
Q5. Which issue is indicated by leachables from plastic containers?
- Enhanced barrier against moisture
- Migration of additives or monomers into the product
- Improved mechanical strength
- Reduced cost of packaging
Correct Answer: Migration of additives or monomers into the product
Q6. Which regulatory reference is commonly consulted for plastic packaging suitability?
- USP chapters on plastics and packaging
- Guidance for dietary supplements only
- Paint manufacturers’ manual
- ISO standard for textiles
Correct Answer: USP chapters on plastics and packaging
Q7. For lyophilized (freeze-dried) sterile products, which container-closure feature is essential?
- High gas permeability of the stopper
- Reliable seal integrity of vial and stopper
- Opaque secondary carton
- Child-resistant cap only
Correct Answer: Reliable seal integrity of vial and stopper
Q8. Which container choice best minimizes moisture ingress for hygroscopic powders?
- Permeable plastic pouch
- Aluminum foil laminate with desiccant
- Open-top jar
- Mesh bag
Correct Answer: Aluminum foil laminate with desiccant
Q9. When selecting a container for an emulsion, which compatibility concern is most relevant?
- Thermal conductivity only
- Surfactant–container interactions causing instability
- Color matching with label
- Ease of recycling
Correct Answer: Surfactant–container interactions causing instability
Q10. Why is headspace oxygen important for selection of container-closure systems?
- It determines package color
- It affects oxidation-sensitive drug stability
- It controls package dimensions
- It only matters for solid dosage forms
Correct Answer: It affects oxidation-sensitive drug stability
Q11. Which plastic is known for good moisture barrier properties and is often used for oral solid bottles?
- Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
- High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
- Polystyrene (PS)
Correct Answer: High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
Q12. For volatile organic solvent formulations, which container material is least appropriate?
- Glass
- Stainless steel
- Permeable plastic with high solvent permeability
- Aluminum with proper lining
Correct Answer: Permeable plastic with high solvent permeability
Q13. Which test is commonly used to evaluate container-closure integrity?
- Visual color comparison
- Pressure decay or helium leak testing
- Weight comparison only
- Label adhesion testing
Correct Answer: Pressure decay or helium leak testing
Q14. Which factor influences choice of container for ophthalmic solutions?
- Container translucency only
- Sterility, low leachables, and accurate drop size
- High oxygen transfer
- Large headspace volume
Correct Answer: Sterility, low leachables, and accurate drop size
Q15. What is a primary concern when using PVC for parenteral bags?
- Poor transparency
- Potential leaching of plasticizers like DEHP
- Too rigid for handling
- Excessive barrier to gases
Correct Answer: Potential leaching of plasticizers like DEHP
Q16. How does temperature cycling impact container selection?
- Temperature has no effect on containers
- It can cause physical deformation, compromise seals, or accelerate interactions
- It only changes label adhesion
- It always improves shelf life
Correct Answer: It can cause physical deformation, compromise seals, or accelerate interactions
Q17. For sterile ophthalmic drops, which closure component characteristic is essential?
- Porous cap to allow airflow
- Inert, low-extractable dropper tip and closure
- Loose fit for easy removal
- Metal screw cap without liner
Correct Answer: Inert, low-extractable dropper tip and closure
Q18. Which container attribute is important for maintaining stability of suspensions?
- Container color only
- Ability to minimize adsorption, provide uniform dosing, and permit shaking
- High gas permeability
- Rigid metal construction only
Correct Answer: Ability to minimize adsorption, provide uniform dosing, and permit shaking
Q19. Which packaging approach helps prevent photodegradation and also permits product inspection?
- Opaque metal container
- Amber glass or UV-blocking transparent container
- Clear PET without UV protection
- Unlined aluminum sheet
Correct Answer: Amber glass or UV-blocking transparent container
Q20. For unit-dose blister packs, which factor is crucial for protecting moisture-sensitive tablets?
- Use of non-laminated paper
- Choice of high-barrier foil or laminate and appropriate sealing
- Large blister cavity volume
- Colored ink on blister surface
Correct Answer: Choice of high-barrier foil or laminate and appropriate sealing
Q21. Which container is preferred for respiratory aerosol formulations?
- Glass vial with rubber stopper
- Pressurized metered-dose inhaler canister with suitable propellant compatibility
- Cardboard tube
- Open-top jar
Correct Answer: Pressurized metered-dose inhaler canister with suitable propellant compatibility
Q22. Which evaluation is important to assess risk of extractables from container materials?
- Extractables/leachables testing using solvents and analytical methods
- Visual inspection only
- Mechanical drop test only
- pH testing without extraction
Correct Answer: Extractables/leachables testing using solvents and analytical methods
Q23. When is selection of a child-resistant closure particularly important?
- For medicines with no toxicity
- For hazardous or potentially toxic medications accessible to children
- Only for large-volume containers
- Only for parenteral vials
Correct Answer: For hazardous or potentially toxic medications accessible to children
Q24. Which container choice reduces risk of metal ion catalyzed degradation?
- Unlined aluminum that corrodes easily
- Glass or lined metal containers that avoid metal contact
- Containers with free metal surfaces
- Raw steel drums
Correct Answer: Glass or lined metal containers that avoid metal contact
Q25. For biologics sensitive to adsorption, what container strategy is useful?
- Use high-adsorptive untreated glass
- Use siliconized or low-adsorption treated surfaces and suitable surfactants
- Store in thin plastic film only
- Expose to light periodically
Correct Answer: Use siliconized or low-adsorption treated surfaces and suitable surfactants
Q26. Which packaging element helps demonstrate tamper evidence for sterile products?
- Opaque label only
- Tamper-evident seals, shrink bands, or secondary closed cartons
- Loose-fitting caps
- Thin cardboard slips
Correct Answer: Tamper-evident seals, shrink bands, or secondary closed cartons
Q27. How does permeability to oxygen influence container selection for oxidative-prone APIs?
- Higher oxygen permeability is always better
- Low oxygen permeability or oxygen scavengers are preferred to reduce oxidation
- Permeability is irrelevant
- Only light matters for oxidation
Correct Answer: Low oxygen permeability or oxygen scavengers are preferred to reduce oxidation
Q28. Which consideration is most relevant when selecting packaging for freeze-thaw sensitive formulations?
- Only label design
- Mechanical resilience, seal integrity, and low brittleness at low temperatures
- High porosity
- High water vapor permeability
Correct Answer: Mechanical resilience, seal integrity, and low brittleness at low temperatures
Q29. Which is a reason to prefer glass over plastic for long-term storage of certain APIs?
- Glass always has higher oxygen permeability than plastic
- Glass often has superior chemical inertness and lower extractables
- Glass is always lighter than plastic
- Glass is completely unbreakable
Correct Answer: Glass often has superior chemical inertness and lower extractables
Q30. Which factor must be balanced with technical suitability when choosing a commercial container?
- Only aesthetics
- Cost, supply chain availability, manufacturability, and regulatory acceptance
- Ignoring stability data
- Using the most expensive option regardless of need
Correct Answer: Cost, supply chain availability, manufacturability, and regulatory acceptance
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
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