A few months ago the FDA opened two “dockets”, or Requests for Comments (RFC) to collect ideas and experiences about technology pilots related to the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA). The first docket was associated with the FDA Public Meeting held on April 5 and 6 (see “The 2016 FDA Pilots Workshop”). The second docket was opened shortly after the Public Meeting to continue collecting the same kind of information from anyone who had already conducted their own pilots or was planning future pilots. Both dockets are now closed so here is a look at the responses. Continue reading HDMA Responds To FDA Pilots RFC→
The key part of Article 50 of the European Union Delegated Regulation (EUDR) says: “This Regulation…shall apply from 9 February 2019.” That’s the date of the “big bang”—the date everything takes effect. On that date, all drugs entering E.U. markets (except in Italy, Belgium and Greece) must contain the two safety features called out by the regulation on their packaging, including an anti-tamper device and a compliant Unique Identifier (see “The ‘Unique Identifier’ in the EU Delegated Act”). It is the date by which “National Competent Authorities” in each of the EU member states (except the three listed above) must offer a data repository for the covered drug products that are targeted at their local market. And it is the date on which dispensers (called “persons authorised or entitled to supply medicinal products to the public” in the text) must begin using the system of repositories to “…verify the safety features and decommission the unique identifier of any medicinal product bearing the safety features they supply to the public…”. All on the same day. The day of the “big bang”.
Medical convenience kits are exempt from the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA). But be careful. Just because you and your customers have called your product “a kit” for years doesn’t mean that Congress and the FDA call it that under the DSCSA. In fact, many products that have historically been referred to as “medical convenience kits” will be treated under the DSCSA as a repackaged drug, a combination product, or worse, just a collection of device(s) and drug(s). Let’s take a closer look. Continue reading DSCSA: Kit, Repack, Combo Product, or Just A ‘Collection’?→
RxTrace followers will want to register and listen in on the Healthcare Distribution Management Association’s (HDMA) upcoming important webinar on May 19, 2016 from 1:00 to 2:00pm EDT. The webinar will cover the new changes to their “Bar Coding Quick Start Guide” for compliance with the U.S. Drug Supply Chain Security Act. HDMA originally published this document back in 2014 (see the HDMA’s website) but they are expected to publish an updated version of it any day now. I checked the HDMA website last night and did not see the new version, but with the scheduling of this webinar, odds are it will be made available to the public between now and May 19.
…a comprehensive exploration of the intersection between healthcare supply chains, track and trace technology, standards and global regulatory compliance
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