Track & Trace

Pre-filled syringes made of high-quality Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC) have become a well-established alternative for administering drugs. Due to its properties and manufacturing process, COC is heavy metal and tungsten free and also exhibits low or no siliconization. However, the polymer also has a different E&L profile and a lower oxygen and gas barrier threshold than borosilicate glass, which increases the potential for drug interaction. These barrier properties are of concern when it comes to labeling. As adhesive labels are affixed directly to the container, there is a potential risk of adhesive migration into the polymer. This can be overcome by using functional labels, which even have the potential to enhance the primary packaging by adding specific functionalities –from overt or covert as well as analog and digital security features to effective first-opening indication - or specific protection through UV-blocking or enhanced gas barrier properties.

Industry 4.0 is no longer just a buzzword – it becomes reality. With established manufacturing processes undergoing rapid digitization new possibilities, arise in the field of pharmaceutical fill-and-finish operations. In this webinar, we will introduce SCHOTT Smart Containers. They come with a data matrix code, which is inextricably linked, to the container. Join us and find out how we can support you in entering a new era of big data analytics.

The Pharmaceutical Serialization Compliance is reality of pharma manufacturing. Pharma domestic serialization is increasingly becoming a focus area for pharmatical manufacture and supply chain across the world. Pharma regulatory compliance solution provider drug related criminal activities and supply chain inefficiencies.

While some measures, like qr code serialization, have been put in place, they don’t go far enough. a copied qr code on pharma packaging allows the drug inside to appear genuine.
Despite millions already spent on anti-counterfeit measures, the problem still exists and is growing exponentially.

Language has been added to state that it is important to ensure the proper handling of product and that protocols must be in place to prevent product mix-up.

Serialization is currently a compliance solution, not an anti-counterfeiting solution. [...] What is required for a truly counterfeit-free pharmaceutical supply chain, involves several layers.

The rising prices of drugs is the second largest concern of the end-users after the disease itself. A short-term prescription course can charge you anywhere between $100 to $1200 per year. Long term and terminal diseases like Cancer may need medicines of up to $10,000 every month. Even the prices of old drugs have also spiked, as companies and insurers are bringing in medicines that have no competition in the market, thus spiking the prices.

For some time now Stoelzle has been investing in new decoration techniques and facilities in France, Poland and Great Britain. In addition to familiar processes such as frosting, screen printing, pad printing, lacquering, hot stamping, transfers, sleeving, or gluing, we also offer a range of innovative decoration techniques including Quali Glass Coat 2.0, metallisation, laser cutting, and spraying with special inks which result in stunning tactile or visual effects.

In essence, the technology introduces photo-realistic and three-dimensional digital print to the container glass industry. Printed with organic UV inks and using a Drop-on-Demand process, it enables fast and reliable curing, with CMYK offering the full spectrum of Pantone hues. The even more exciting news for brands is the capacity for tactile, three-dimensional effects: embossing, and even coloured embossing, offered by the premium version of the package, named O-I : EXPRESSIONS RELIEF.

Fresenius Kabi is embedding packaging for medications commonly used in the operating room with RFID labels. The track-and-trace technology complies with open GS1 global standards and adds an extra layer of patient safety by protecting drug inventories.

Continuing its quest for innovation, Tecglass launches a new range of inks developed to offer an extremely high degree of precision and durability. The new JETVER HA series is here and it complies with the most stringent industry safety standards, depending on the quality and chemical resistance properties required.

Through the Genie in a Bottle AR experience, customers who purchase three select immune-boosting supplements from the new TruLyfe online store will be able to scan a QR code on the supplement bottles to unlock a unique immersive AR experience, powered by NexTech’s ARitize app. The QR code will trigger a 3D human hologram of a registered dietitian which will appear as on the supplement bottle cap, speaking about the supplement’s nutritional information as well as overall product benefits. NexTech added that the AR experiences will be unique to each supplement and will feature 3D volumetric recreations of fruits, plants and other objects representing the flavor and ingredients found in each supplement.

Créée en 1972 par des entreprises pour des entreprises, GS1 est une organisation mondiale, sans but lucratif, présente dans 150 pays. Elle offre aux entreprises un espace de collaboration où elles se réunissent pour co-concevoir les standards et solutions qui répondent à leurs enjeux business sur toute la chaîne de valeur.

In order to ensure end-to-end traceability, every item of packaging must be labeled with an individual Data Matrix code. This label is also required for serialization of the individual packagings. After the packaging is filled, for example with tablets that use blister packs as their primary packaging, Lector63x image-based code readers capture the coding during the packaging flow to verify its legibility by a machine on the one hand, and coded contents on the other.

ACG Inspection, one of the four businesses of ACG Group, has introduced a blockchain-based solution that meets and exceeds traceability and anti-counterfeiting requirements in the pharmaceutical supply chain. The company’s Brand Security Platform combines GS1 2D Data Matrix, smart contracts, geolocation identification, and product biometrics tracking to monitor packaged medicines from manufacturer to end-user.

Once organizations have sustainable business processes in the post-serialized world and continue to work toward the goal of establishing interoperable data exchange networks, they can expect to see real business value from the significant compliance-driven investments that have been made. Ultimately, the question must be asked: How can the unique encoding of a serial number for each saleable unit within a batch, which can be tracked through the entire supply chain, be leveraged for business value?

Aggregation is one of the most important topics in pharma manufacturing right now, particularly when it comes to tackling fake medicines and anti-counterfeiting. It is a crucial part of the ongoing advancement in technology solutions to improve security, visibility and communication in the pharmaceutical supply chain.

As the pharmaceutical industry continues its preparations for the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) serialization requirements*, more and more trading partners are focusing on the journey to DSCSA item-level traceability starting in 2023, and many trading partners have already made significant investments in serializing product lines and implementing serialized item traceability systems.

Factors such as the growing number of counterfeit drugs, coupled with favorable regulations for serialization implementation, are motivating the growth of the studied market during the forecast period. Furthermore, blockchain adoption and rising demand from emerging countries, are opening multiple opportunities for the track and trace solutions market in the same period.
However, the high costs of solutions and lack of common standards, are significantly weighing down the progress of the track and trace solutions market globally.

Companies can safely operate together on a centralized, immutable blockchain-enabled supply chain. Blockchain makes it quicker, simpler, and quicker to validate what is accurate as a business transaction spans companies with opposing interests. Without giving up ownership over or even exposing their results, they can do this. It is due to the availability of statistical evidence validation that stands as a credible substitute for real data.

With coronavirus cases continuing to spike in many countries, the news that vaccines might soon be available has been met with relief worldwide. But preparing a vaccine is only one half of the job; the other half is actually delivering it.

Serialization is the process of assigning and applying a unique identification code to a product. Aggregation defines the relationship between multiple items within a product shipment, such as cartons, cases, and pallets.

Nakul Pasricha, President, Authentication Solution Providers' Association (ASPA) says counterfeiting of Covid-19 vaccines is a real threat in India.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacists have been called upon to serve their patients in ways they may never have imagined. From filling an avalanche of prescriptions and administering COVID-19 tests to providing curbside pickup and home deliveries of prescriptions and OTCs, while also being responsible for clinical services.