Last updated: May 1, 2026
Who Supplies “Bacteriostatic Water for Injection” in Plastic Containers?
Bacteriostatic Water for Injection in plastic containers is a sterile parenteral-grade water product used to reconstitute drugs between doses. In practice, the supply chain typically splits into (1) FDA-registered sterile drug manufacturers that bottle and package the product and (2) private-label / contract sterile-fillers that produce under brand holders’ labels.
What is the regulatory “product” being supplied?
“Bacteriostatic Water for Injection” is a sterile water for injection containing an antimicrobial agent (commonly benzyl alcohol 0.9% v/v; some products use alternative preservatives). It is supplied in single-dose vials and multi-dose vials in plastic containers (for example, prefilled or bottled plastic formats used by hospitals and wholesalers).
What supplier archetypes actually provide it?
- Manufacturers of record (MFRs) that compound, sterile fill, and package the finished water product in the specified plastic container format.
- Contract manufacturers (sterile-fill/finish) that provide the finished dosage form and packaging under private label or brand-holder labeling.
- Wholesalers/distributors that do not manufacture the drug but are the practical source for procurement (pricing and availability depend on distributor allocation).
Which companies supply it via U.S. listings and commercial channels?
Common supply sources (brands and known sterile suppliers)
The product is widely available through U.S. and global channels. The most consistent procurement path is to source based on NDC and container/strength.
Typical widely distributed brands include:
- Hospira (now part of Viatris) branded bacteriostatic water products are widely listed through major U.S. distributors.
- B. Braun and McKesson/Exacta-Med private label lines often appear as procurement options depending on NDC and container format in use.
Core sterile manufacturing/sterile-fill organizations that show up in this category include:
- B. Braun (sterile pharmaceuticals and injectable solutions manufacturing footprint; commonly supplies hospital formats).
- Viatris / former Hospira production network (sterile injectables sourcing and distribution in the U.S.).
- Steri-Fill/contract sterile packaging providers (private label bacteriostatic water depends on the specific NDC holder and container size).
How to confirm supplier by product identity (what buyers should use)
The only reliable way to identify the true supplying manufacturer for “bacteriostatic water for injection in plastic container” is by:
- NDC
- Container size (mL)
- Concentration and preservative (most commonly benzyl alcohol 0.9% v/v)
- Plastic container type (vial vs. prefilled plastic container format)
- Labeler name (holder) vs. manufacturer name printed on package label
Most hospital sourcing and pharmacy procurement systems key off NDC-to-manufacturer mapping rather than generic name alone.
How suppliers map to contract/private label reality
For sterile water products, brand holders often outsource sterile filling and packaging. That means a supplier list depends on whether you want:
- The label holder (the company you contract with on the purchase order), or
- The actual sterile manufacturer (the facility making the batch), which is usually tied to the NDC “manufacturer” field and FDA facility registrations.
In procurement terms:
- Buying through major wholesalers gives consistent access but not transparency on the actual sterile-fill facility unless the NDC manufacturer is confirmed.
- Buying directly from a label holder reduces ambiguity but still depends on the NDC strength and presentation.
Procurement-ready supplier roster (actionable view)
Below is a procurement-oriented roster by channel archetype, not a theoretical list.
Label holders and major distributors you will encounter
- Viatris / former Hospira brand network (commonly listed in U.S. hospital formularies for bacteriostatic water products)
- B. Braun (commonly listed supplier for injectable solutions and hospital sterile products)
- McKesson private label / Exacta-Med channel (appears via U.S. distribution depending on NDC and package format)
- Premier and group purchasing organizations (GPO) mediated suppliers (reflects which NDCs are contracted for your group)
Contract sterile manufacturers (facility-based)
These are typically identified only after mapping to NDC manufacturer details. The contract model is common for sterile water products because:
- sterile fill/finish is facility-specific
- container format drives packaging lines
- NDC-level label changes are common across private label programs
Container format matters: plastic container constraints
Not all bacteriostatic water presentations use the same plastic container technology. Plastic container supply breaks down by:
- single-dose vs multi-dose
- vial size (mL)
- preservative concentration
- compatibility requirements for rubber stoppers and seals (if vial) or closure systems (if prefilled plastic container)
Procurement failures often occur when buyers request “plastic” at a generic level but the contracted NDC uses a different container material or closure.
Key selection criteria to lock the correct supplier
When you scope supply for bacteriostatic water in plastic containers, enforce these fields in the request for quote (RFQ):
- NDC
- benzyl alcohol concentration (typically 0.9% v/v)
- container size
- sterility assurance language consistent with injectable products
- label holder name and manufacturer name on carton
Key Takeaways
- Supplier identity for “Bacteriostatic Water for Injection in plastic container” should be anchored to NDC plus container size and preservative concentration, not the generic name.
- The practical supplier universe splits into label holders/brand networks (notably Viatris/Hospira and B. Braun commonly seen in hospital channels) and private-label/contract sterile-fillers, which must be confirmed via NDC manufacturer fields.
- Plastic container presentations vary by vial format, closure system, and size, which can change the underlying manufacturer and packaging line.
FAQs
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How do I identify the actual manufacturer of bacteriostatic water for injection in a plastic container?
Use the NDC manufacturer field and confirm against the labeler/manufacturer names printed on the carton and vial.
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Are private-label versions of bacteriostatic water made by the same manufacturer as branded products?
Not always. Private label often uses different sterile fill/finish facilities; supplier mapping is NDC-specific.
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Does “plastic container” guarantee the same closure or preservative concentration across suppliers?
No. Plastic presentations still vary by mL size, closure system, and preservative specification.
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What preservative concentration is most common for bacteriostatic water for injection?
The most common is benzyl alcohol 0.9% v/v, but always verify in the product label and NDC-specific listing.
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What is the fastest procurement path for this product during shortages?
Lock supply by NDC and presentation via major wholesalers/GPO contracted NDCs, then validate lot release and packaging compatibility.
References
[1] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “Drug Registration and Listing System (DRLS) - Search.” FDA.
[2] FDA. “NDC Directory.” FDA.
[3] DailyMed. “Bacteriostatic Water for Injection” (product labeling entries). National Library of Medicine.
[4] Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. “National Drug Code (NDC) information and product labeling references” (context for NDC-based procurement systems).
