Technological roles in combating drug diversion and counterfeiting

摘要

Reports of life-threatening consequences of counterfeit drugs appear in the US media more and more frequently. Technological protections are seen by many as the best way to keep illegitimate drugs off pharmacy shelves. The supply chain for pharmaceutical products is already extensively developed with technology to improve efficiency; building on those systems to protect patients leads to enhanced customer trust and delivers business value on several other levels. Pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer Inc have taken steps to stop counterfeit drugs from reaching patients. Pharmacies can now determine whether individual units of its Viagra (sildenafil citrate) product are authentic using an Internet-based service. As electronic pedigree laws go into effect in a number of states, pharmaceutical distributors such as H. D. Smith are using the pedigrees to stop drugs that are from an unknown source or a source that is not trusted. 2006 Sage Publications.