The manufacture and importation of counterfeit drugs is a big problem in the USA, for patients as well as the pharmaceutical industry, and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is bolstering regulations with technology recommendations that include wireless solutions and RFID technology, according to IDC.

     To protect the drug manufacturing and distribution process while making sure that research and development costs are fully recovered through legitimate product sales, the FDA is bolstering already stringent regulations with new technology recommendations. 116.30.147.133 This article is copyright 2004 UsingRFID.com.

FDA recommendations
A new IDC study, entitled ''Mobilizing the Pharmaceutical Industry: Combating The Counterfeit Drug Problem with Wireless Solutions and FDA Regulatory Mandates'', offers insight into the FDA''s position and recommendations based on recent interviews with the FDA and major pharmaceutical manufacturers.

"Technology is rapidly approaching the state at which pharmaceutical companies can reliably and affordably provide greater assurances that a product was manufactured safely and distributed under conditions that did not compromise its potency or legitimacy," said Richard Dean, programme director for infrastructure integration and support services at IDC.

Widespread adoption
According to Dean, the general adoption and common use of RFID technology at the case and shipping pallet level by 2007 is becoming increasingly likely, and would help secure the integrity of the drug supply chain. IT services organisations with the necessary technical skills and industry expertise are already helping to guide the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry through the challenges of adopting these kinds of transformational technologies.

IDC''s study addresses topics including: the drug counterfeiting problem and its potential impact on the public health system and pharmaceutical manufacturers; the FDA''s position and recommendations on fighting the problem through the use of track-and-trace technology; and how chipless RFID-based solutions and services offered will be able to support anti-counterfeiting efforts. The report can be purchased directly from IDC.

 

 

 

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