 Chris Heezen Sealed Air Medical Applications Executive Director, Global Medical Flexibles Visit Website |
Named Executive Director, Global Medical Flexibles for Sealed Air Medical Applications in September 2008, Chris Heezen is responsible for the business management of Sealed Air’s technically advanced Nexcel Films. These high-performance materials designed for pharmaceutical and medical applications include non-PVC film used in the packaging of IV injectable solutions, high barrier films, and medical device packaging materials.
Heezen has worked in sales and marketing positions involving medical device and pharmaceutical packaging since 1986. Prior to joining Sealed Air Medical Applications, Heezen held the position of Director of Regional Sales at Amcor Flexibles; worked in the role of Business Development Manager for Laminations at Rexam Medical Packaging; held positions including Key Account Manager, Product Manager for Films, Film Specialist and Sales Representative at Perfecseal, a Bemis Company; and worked as a Technical Sales Representative at Rollprint Packaging Products. Heezen earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from St. Norbert College, as well as a Master’s of Business Administration from Northern Illinois University. Sealed Air develops packaging and performance-based materials and equipment systems that serve an array of food, industrial, medical and consumer applications. Operating in 52 countries, Sealed Air’s international reach generated revenue of US$4.8 billion in 2008. With widely recognized brands such as Bubble Wrap brand cushioning, Jiffy protective mailers, Nelipak custom thermoformed products and Cryovac packaging technology, Sealed Air continues to identify new trends, foster new markets, and deliver innovative solutions to its customers. |
Medical and Pharmaceutical Packaging, Primary Films and Flexible Packaging Materials Q&A
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What are the latest regulatory trends in medical packaging?Answered June 9th, 2009 by Expert:All medical packaging comes under the scope of ISO 11607:2006 parts 1 and 2 and European norm EN 868 parts 2 to 10. In addition, many device manufacturers refer to technical report TIR22. This document was published in March 2007 by the Association for Advancement of Medical Instrumentation and is designed to help medical device manufacturers comply with the standards within the regulatory framework of US FDA.
One segment that is not addressed in TIR22 involves healthcare facilities, i.e. hospitals, clinics and other locations where devices may be packaged, particularly for resterilisation in central sterile supply departments. That gap is now being closed with the creation of an Annex J for these facilities and the inclusion of hospital users in the task force that is writing the document. An interesting twist here is that hospital professionals from both North America and Europe are being included to make sure both regions are covered, as working practices and definitions seem to be very different.
The next review of ISO 11607 will start in 2010 and should be completed in 2011; the revised TIR22 will be published soon after. Potential changes or additions to the standard could include tougher environmental challenges to packaging or new measures involving resin interchangeability within a flexible film structure.