How Medical Packaging Supply Chain Management Supports Business Continuity

The predictable unpredictability of recent years has provided teachable moments in supply chain management for the vast majority of industries. COVID-19 was undoubtedly a major contributor to the scope and severity of the massive disruptions. However, the ensuing chaos of transitioning to the “new normal” suggests larger, dormant business continuity challenges in managing materials, labor, and transportation.

Applying the learnings to medical packaging supply chain management provides opportunities to better understand what happened and considerations moving forward. It also demonstrates how a reliable packaging partner can anchor medical packaging business continuity within your company.

Potential Risks Medical Packaging Supply Chains

Supply chains depend on consistent availability of materials, labor, and transportation. Interruptions in any one area can cause significant imbalance and put business continuity at risk.

To illustrate the point, let’s look at events that affected the plastics industry and the healthcare applications dependent on plastics.

An anomalous winter storm in the southern United States shut down refinery and raw resin production. This severely limited plastics availability and distribution and drove up prices. Further complicating matters was a skilled labor shortage that stretched already slim work crews. Finally, a cargo ship blocked and closed the Suez Canal — a major trade passageway for about one-tenth of the world’s goods.

Materials. Labor. Transportation. All were impacted, with dire consequences that rippled into the medical industry. Circumstances put some medical packaging materials suppliers in the position of being unable to meet demand. Other medical packaging supply chains broke because of a lack of alternate vendors to tap into when needed.

The point of the illustrative example isn’t to define exact reasons for the supply chain disruptions; rather, it’s to acknowledge the fact that challenges can arise for any reason, at any time. Proactivity in medical packaging business continuity planning is critical.

Assessing Medical Packaging Business Continuity Capabilities

Discernment in choosing medical packaging partners is key in keeping your initiatives — and your business — on track during both routine and volatile times.

There are many providers with experience in medical packaging supply chain management. However, a true medical packaging partner has capabilities that demonstrate a focus on business continuity, including:

• Reliable sourcing through global reach: An organization networked throughout the world has more opportunities to create — and maintain — versatile supplier relationships

• Insights into and access to alternate materials: Medical packaging is evolving, as are the materials used. Medical packaging experts will proactively recommend and find appropriate substitutes for unavailable materials in the case of supply chain challenges

• Established risk mitigation and management strategies: Work with a packaging partner that is realistic about the potential for supply chain disruption. They are keenly aware of the risks and have established policies for mitigation and management should the need arise

• Responsiveness in communication and service: A medical packager that can help navigate challenges and successes ensures consistency in getting safe products to market efficiently. Collaboration toward solutions is the key