Food and Drug Administration Report Calls for the Adoption of RFID to Help Secure the Integrity of the Drug Supply Chain.Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers/High-Tech Writers LAWRENCEVILLE, N. J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 18, 2004 EPCglobal Inc. Applauds FDA's Support of a Global, Standards-Based Approach to Supply Chain Tracking In a report issued today, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. ) announced that the adoption of Radio Frequency Identification See RFID. (RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) A data collection technology that uses electronic tags for storing data. The tag, also known as an "electronic label," "transponder" or "code plate," is made up of an RFID chip attached to an antenna. ) by manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers is needed to secure the integrity of the drug supply chain. The report highlights RFID's ability to track and trace the movement of drug inventory from production to distribution in real time. In addition, the FDA makes note of RFID's ability to make drug counterfeiting extremely difficult and more easily detected. "EPCglobal applauds the FDA in its support of a global, standards-based approach to tracking prescription drugs," said Dicki Lulay, President, EPCglobal US. "Counterfeit drugs have dangerous implications to patient safety. The tracking and tracing In logistics, tracking and tracing is the concept of locating property that is being forwarded from an origin to a destination through various hubs and passing along spokes, and determining the location and other status of such object. capabilities of the EPCglobal Network will deliver far-reaching benefits for consumers, patients, and the healthcare industry. This added security will allow the industry to deliver an even higher level of patient care." The EPCglobal Network is an emerging technology that utilizes RFID and Internet technology that enable companies to identify any object anywhere in the global supply chain in real time. According to the FDA, commercial deployment of RFID and its track and trace capabilities will be feasible by 2007. In the meantime Adv. 1. in the meantime - during the intervening time; "meanwhile I will not think about the problem"; "meantime he was attentive to his other interests"; "in the meantime the police were notified" meantime, meanwhile , the FDA is working with sponsors and participants of RFID pilots to address regulatory issues. The FDA is also working with other governmental agencies to coordinate global supply chain activities. Today's announcement signals continued momentum surrounding the EPCglobal Network and its ability to help secure the integrity of the drug supply chain. In late 2003, the Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA HDMA Healthcare Distribution Management Association (United States; formerly National Wholesale Druggists Association) HDMA Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association HDMA Hand Drawn Map Association (website) ), a nonprofit organization for healthcare distributors, recommended that manufacturers and wholesalers of pharmaceutical drugs begin using RFID tags carrying EPC (1) (Entertainment PC) See HTPC. (2) (Electronic Product Code) A standard code for RFID tags administered by EPCglobal Inc. (www.epcglobalinc.org). technology by 2005. "Pioneers in the industry, like the FDA and HDMA, are helping drive adoption of EPC technologies and illustrate the power and potential of a highly efficient and truly visible supply chain," added Lulay. About EPCglobal Inc. EPCglobal Inc., a joint venture between EAN EAN experimental allergic neuritis. International and the Uniform Code Council (UCC An abbreviation for the Uniform Commercial Code. ), is a not-for-profit organization entrusted to drive the global, multi-industry adoption and implementation of the EPCglobal Network. EPCglobal Inc. leverages the nearly thirty year heritage of EAN International and the UCC in successfully partnering with industry. The neutral, consensus-based, standards organization aims to make organizations more effective by enabling true visibility of information about items in the supply chain by developing and managing standards for the EPCglobal Network. EPCglobal US is an affiliate of EPCglobal serving subscribers in the United States to help foster the adoption of the EPCglobal Network and related technology. For more information on EPCglobal Inc., visit the website http://www.EPCglobalINC.org. SOURCE: EPCglobal Inc. |
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