Vetter Introduces Flexible Serialization Service for Unique Identification of Drugs Packaging

CDMO Vetter announced the addition of a new flexible serialization service, introduced in response to stricter packaging regulations calling for drugs to be serialized as a means to fight counterfeits.  

Pharma and biotech companies have the option to clearly identify their drug packaging using Vetter’s individually customizable solutions as part of for their own track-and-trace programs to optimize supply chain security.

The increasing threat of counterfeit drugs on the market has become a global challenge. Not only are patients at risk but this problem also costs the pharmaceutical industry significant amount of money. As a result, regulators worldwide have introduced new guidelines that require manufacturers to be able to track and trace their drugs from production to distribution, through to dispensing at the pharmacy. The solution is serialization and track and trace, in which unique identification numbers are used to distinctly identify the smallest packaging unit.  

Different countries, however, have their own specific serialization guidelines. This means that pharmaceutical companies operating on a global scale will need flexible solutions to meet the different national requirements. Vetter offers various options for the serialization of drugs, which includes making available different serial number and code formats, interfaces, and reports or various aggregation depths.

And there are, of course, national differences that must be taken into account. South Korea for example, expects that by 2015, serialization will be included on the item level, while China follows still another concept, including 1D linear codes as well as aggregation with shipping boxes.

Source: Vetter