Abstract: A protective outer container for a pharmaceutical vial includes a shell, a collar, and a cap that fit together to form a secure enclosure. The collar includes an outer wall having a lower region that fits into the mouth of the shell, and an upper region that fits into the cap. A plurality of resiliently deformable fins extends radially inwardly from the upper region of the collar outer wall. Each fin includes a gripping edge. The gripping edges together define an opening for receiving and gripping an upper portion of the vial. According to a further aspect of the container, the collar includes a flange extending outwardly from the collar outer wall, defining its upper and lower regions. Also described is a method for packaging a pharmaceutical vial, in which a shell, a collar, and a cap are used to provide a secure enclosure around the vial.