Supplies and equipment for medical packaging materials vary depending on the type of packaging required by the medical products. While the packaging differs from product to product, almost all medical products require sterilized containers. In order to obtain this safe, sterile packaging, procedures involve special medical device packaging and materials.

Medical supplies and products are packaged through heat sealing machines, fill-and-seal machines, and bundling and labeling systems. Some machines prepare the pharmaceutical product for packaging, and others prepare it for shipment. When thinking about the supplies and equipment for medical packaging materials that help your manufacturing company distribute products to pharmacies, hospitals, and doctors, consider the following:

1. Heat sealing machines create safe sterile packaging through heat sealing once the package is filled.

2. Fill and seal machines fill medical packaging materials and seal all with one piece of equipment.

3. Bundling and labeling systems prepare the products for distribution from the manufacturer.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn how heat sealing packaging equipment creates sterilized medical packaging

Heat is a valuable asset in sterilization processes. Heat seal machines create a sterile seal for medical packaging products. These products include chevron pouches, foil bags, and medical thermoform trays. These systems withstand high temperatures for sterile packaging. Many also have vacuum seal qualities in their medical packaging supplies.

I recommend: American Print Pak sells heat sealing banding medical packaging materials for heat sealing machines. The banding is latex-free, available in a variety of sizes, and able to withstand high temperatures. James Dawson features high-temperature heat sealing medical packaging equipment. The machine is portable and quiet, and it has a foot switch for operation.

Use fill-and-seal medical packaging equipment for a one-step process

Fill and seal medical packaging equipment fills and seals the packaging all with one machine. These machines fill and seal IV pouches, capsule and pill bottles, medical packaging films, and other medical packaging material. Many prefer these machines because they eliminate the need for multiple pieces of equipment, saving on space while still allowing for sterile packaging.

I recommend: Raodesign features a blow fill and seal machine for filling and sealing liquids in an IV bag. Packaging equipment from Global Spec offers multiple types of fill and seal materials including equipment, goods, and packaging materials.

Consider medical packing equipment to prepare items for distribution

The process does not end once the product is in the medical packing material. The manufacturer must also label and bundle products for distribution. Multiple capsule bottles and jars are often put in a bundle for pharmacy distribution. Bottles and jars must also have labels with product names and expiration dates. Bundling machines produce sleeve wraps for boxes, trays, and multi-packs. Label machines allow for custom product labels.

I recommend: Belco Packaging sells shrink bundling systems for protecting and combining products. All Products features bottle labeling equipment to prepare medical products for shipment.

Whether you manufacture medicine or medical devices, you can find a wide range of medical packaging materials to fit your needs. Medical packaging supplies come in a wide range of delivery styles, from individual items to multiple packs. Once you know what kind of medical packing materials you need, you can quickly find medical packaging services in your price range.

Make sure your medical plastic packaging meets or exceeds medical packing industry standards. Medical packaging companies typically offer medical packaging material produced in a “clean room” situation. Since medical plastic packaging typically has a sharp edge, make sure your medical packaging materials go through a special rolling process to smooth out that hazard. Medical packing material should also be eco-friendly.

Find medical packaging supplies that are:

1. The highest quality medical packaging materials on the market.

2. Clean-room certified to industry standards to provide the sanitary product needed for medical supplies.

3. Monitored from raw material to finished product via a quality management system.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find clear clamshell medical packaging supplies

This is the most common type of medical packaging. When you find a supplier who offers a wide choice of options, you can quickly find the right packaging for your product.

I recommend: Form Tight Inc. and Walter Drake Inc. have large offerings of clamshell packages. Both produce their medical device packaging materials within industry guidelines.

Locate medical device packaging that meets your specialty needs

Whether it's a plastic container for a sterile surgical instrument or a urine specimen cup, several companies offer the medical device packaging that's just right for your product.

I recommend: UFP Technologies Inc. has a large selection of medical packaging foam products. You can choose from their regular supplies or you can have custom foam packaging designed for you. Uline Shipping Supplies offers plastic bags used for medical packaging. In particular, you can find bags to use for biohazard handling. TOLAS Healthcare Packaging specializes in creating sterile medical packages.

Work with medical packaging companies to create custom medical packaging materials

Know what you want as you design your medical packaging materials in collaboration with the medical packaging company. While it may be possible to find stock packaging, quite often you can have a package custom designed for a similar cost.

I recommend: Janco Inc. works with their customers every step of the way. They practice total quality management to ensure customer satisfaction. Plastic Ingenuity Inc. is another reputable company you can turn to to help you design custom medical packaging materials.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As you choose medical packaging supplies, look for materials that are eco-friendly. A lot of medical packaging materials come from polyethylene terephthalate or PET. PET products are recyclable and show the number '1' inside the recycling triangle. PET products are food and medicine safe.
• •  If you decide to use clamshell style medical packing, be sure to select a product that seals or locks all the way around. A special heat process closes the hinges and edges on the clamshell product, making the package tamper proof.