Progress in Pharma Product Identification

As pharmaceutical product coding regulations change, and as the threat of counterfeiting increases, drug companies are looking for better methods of product identification. Coding and marking are keys to accurate, reliable product identification that can combat counterfeiting. The latest coding and marking technologies have the added benefits of helping to provide flexible coding methods, streamline production, improve productivity, reduce costs and increase profits.

Addressing the Challenges

New and updated regulations on drug product coding, driven by security issues and emerging technologies, have left pharmaceutical manufacturers, repackers, relabelers and distributors searching for cost-effective options to comply.

Drug companies, regulators, insurers, caregivers and patients face tremendous challenges due to the growth in drug counterfeiting and need better ways to protect the integrity of the healthcare delivery system, the drug products and patient safeguards.

These are critical challenges to pharmaceutical companies. Product coding and marking strategies and technologies form an important part of the solutions. Control of the drug product begins with the manufacturer. The solutions required to thwart counterfeiting are best applied before the products leave the control of the manufacturer. Significant emphasis is placed on designing difficult-to-duplicate, unique drug dose shapes and colors, and on using secure, robust drug product package coding and marking technologies.

Coding and marking technologies and their application are constantly evolving. The latest advances include:

• Scannable coding that is applied directly to oral dosage forms.

• Improvements in inkjet printers and lasers that make coding easier, faster, more reliable and more efficient than ever before.

• The development of unique code formats that comply with federal regulations and are readable on standard equipment, including reduced space symbology (RSS) coding and invisible fluorescent inks. These allow for the addition of more information in less space.

• Radio frequency identification (RFID) is poised to become the ultimate solution as a secure, robust, and highly functional drug product package coding technology, with instantaneous information updating and tracking.

Drug companies will inevitably make product line changes to meet regulations, combat counterfeiting, enhance patient safety and address other industry concerns. Companies that adopt the latest coding and marking technologies can improve productivity, reduce costs, comply with the latest regulations and substantially enhance their competitive position.

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