CVS to Switch Over-the-Counter Drug Bottles from Plastic to Aluminum

CVS is introducing a major change to the way it packages its over-the-counter drugs as part of its ongoing brand refresh.

The pharmacy chain will soon begin to sell its OTC medications in bottles made from aluminum rather than plastic.

Pill bottles have largely looked the same since the 1950's and 1960's when medication came in glass bottles. Since then, prescription pill bottles have largely been amber cylinders, while OTC medications are generally packaged in white plastic bottles.

CVS is bucking that trend and embracing aluminum.

“For OTC medications, aluminum packaging offers several practical and sustainability benefits," Mike Wier, the vice president of store brands at CVS, told Wired. “Like more traditional packaging options, aluminum provides a strong barrier to help maintain stability and shelf life.”

The first of CVS's branded OTC medications to transition to aluminum will be its value-sized allergy and pain medications. These are the big bottles of CVS's versions of popular branded medications like Allegra, Claritin, and Tylenol.

The new bottles will reportedly be lighter than current plastic pill bottles. Pricing will not be affected by the packaging change.

In addition to being lighter, the bottles will also be more recyclable than the plastic. Despite the material being more recyclable, Wier told Wired that the metal bottles will still use the typical plastic caps, so they'll have to be separated before they're recycled.

CVS will be monitoring customer response to the new metal bottles. If it's positive, the company may expand the conversion to more of its medications.

The company said that it's redesigning its packaging to make it easier for customers to find their medications.