With just 31% of facilities able to purchase more than 90% of their medications in bar code, unit dose format, packaging systems remain key to pharmacy operations. Despite some reliance on outsourcers, the vast majority depends on in-house repackaging operations, utilizing manual methods as well as tabletop and high-volume packaging machines to deliver bar coded unit dose products to the units. Fortunately, there is a wide array of vendors offering various packaging solutions and most receive solid user satisfaction ratings.

Looking ahead, there is a burgeoning focus on centralizing packaging operations to reap inventory and staffing benefits. Likewise, interest is high in expanding the use of RFID tagged inventory beyond kits and trays to encompass high-cost medications and those at risk of diversion.

Manual packaging is a mainstay of most packaging operations. Notably this year saw a small dip in the use of tabletop and high-volume unit dose packagers.

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When considering options for unit dose packaging, most facilities review a variety of vendors with significant attention being paid to BD, Medi-Dose, Omnicell, Health Care Logistics, Medical Packaging Inc, and Euclid.