SupplyScape Announces RFID Software To Support FDA Initiative To Eliminate Counterfeit Drugs

SupplyScape announced today SupplyScape Electronic Pedigree," a software solution that will help pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers and pharmacies combat the growing problem of counterfeit drugs. Developed in support of the FDA counterfeit drug initiative, this new technology uses radio frequency identification (RFID) to build a custodian history, or pedigree," that traces each drugs chain of ownership from the pharmacy back to the manufacturer.

CAMBRIDGE, MA (PRWEB) February 24, 2004 -–New Electronic Pedigree Software Technology Helps Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, Wholesalers and Pharmacies Track Prescription Drugs SupplyScape announced today SupplyScape Electronic Pedigree," a software solution that will help the pharmaceutical industry combat the growing problem of counterfeit drugs. Developed in support of the FDA counterfeit drug initiative, this new technology uses radio frequency identification (RFID) to build a custodian history, or pedigree," that traces each drugs chain of ownership from the pharmacy back to the manufacturer.

SupplyScape Electronic Pedigree is the first solution to comply with both the federal Prescription Drug Marketing Act (PDMA) and state drug pedigree laws to eradicate counterfeit drugs, by using the Electronic Product Code (EPC) and RFID industry standards already adopted by the U.S. Department of Defense, Wal-Mart, Procter & Gamble, Gillette and other leading companies to make their supply chain operations more efficient.

SupplyScape Electronic Pedigree is the first technology that achieves both regulatory and business requirements," said Shabbir Dahod, president and CEO of SupplyScape. The benefit of this system is that while attacking a growing risk to patient safety, pharmaceutical companies can also save significantly by streamlining supply chain management."

Electronic Pedigree Streamlines Drug Distribution and Eliminates Counterfeits

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Counterfeit Drug Task Force, electronic pedigree using radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to track and trace prescription drugs is a key technology in a multi-pronged strategy to safeguard the American drug supply.

SupplyScape Electronic Pedigree is the most secure and economical method to track authentic drugs and enables pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers and pharmacies to eliminate counterfeit drugs, improve the speed and quality of shipping and receiving, expedite returns processing and improve recall precision," said Dahod.

The number of counterfeit drug investigations by the FDA has quadrupled since 2000. Until now, preventing counterfeit drugs by providing accurate drug pedigrees has been complex and expensive for pharmaceutical wholesale distributors who typically carry more than 40,000 drug stocking units to supply pharmacies that fill over three billion prescriptions annually.

Until now, it was not feasible to track drug pedigrees in an open supply chain," said Dahod. SupplyScape Electronic Pedigree makes it possible, and the business benefits exceed the cost of providing drug pedigrees."

Automating drug tracking and pedigree management improves drug security and helps contain costs. Companies using SupplyScape will gain improvements in supply chain operations including accuracy, improved drug availability, reduced inventory costs, less product loss due to expiration, and reduced labor costs.

Reduces Costs And Ensures Compliance With Drug Pedigree Laws

SupplyScape Electronic Pedigree detects whether wholesalers follow state custodian laws such as the Nevada regulation which strictly limits sales between drug wholesalers to prevent counterfeiting. SupplyScapes approach is the least costly and labor-intensive method of complying with the Florida Pedigree Law, requiring the most detailed drug pedigrees in the country.

The SupplyScape Electronic Pedigree solution will be available in the second quarter of 2004. To participate in a pilot project, go to www.SupplyScape.com or call 1.781.424.0868.

About SupplyScape

SupplyScape is a leader in applying the EPC and RFID standards in the pharmaceutical industry. The company is dedicated to helping pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers, and pharmacies gain positive ROI on their technology investments to deliver safe drugs. SupplyScape provides an electronic pedigree solution that protects brand value and prevents counterfeit drugs in an open pharmaceutical supply chain. Additional information about SupplyScape is available at www.supplyscape.com.

SupplyScape and SupplyScape Electronic Pedigree are trademarks of SupplyScape Corporation. All other names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Note to Editors:
Electronic Pedigree screenshots shown at the FDA press conference and copies of SupplyScape press releases are available for download on the Web site at http://www.supplyscape.com.
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