IBM Tracks Medication Supply Chain
In an effort to reduce counterfeit medications from infiltrating the market, IBM introduced an RFID system for medication management throughout the medication supply chain. Their new system is dubbed ePedigree; it was announced in a press release from the company. ePedigree is a component of the WebSphere RFID Information Center.
The ePedigree system uses RFID tags to create electronic certificates of authenticity for pharmaceuticals. The system is used to track drugs from the time they are manufactured through distribution to the facilities that dispense therapy, including hospitals and pharmacies. The tool is used to record the life history of the products. IBM considers this effort a stronger safeguard than strategies previously implemented by pharmaceutical companies themselves, such as watermarks and holograms.
The IBM products may be additionally attractive to pharmaceutical companies because of new regulations being implemented across the country. California, for example, passed legislation that requires medication histories be attached to products by 2009. This applies to all therapies distributed across the State. The IBM ePedigree product fills this need.
Another potential benefit of this product at the point of medication distribution is means to more quickly identify products. This facilitates re-stocking products, pulling drugs that have been recalled, and removing others that have been expired.
This RFID-based product offering mirrors ongoing activity within healthcare to integrate products to support materials management. Multiple such tools have been described on Hospital Buyer. One product, also involving IBM tools, is being assessed in the Czech Republic to track chemotherapy. An interesting consideration for hospitals considering implementation of RFID tools is interoperability with assets coming into an institution.
August 10, 2007 Related topics: Trends, Quality, Safety, Errors, Supply chain/SCM, Pharmaceuticals