NDC Nearing Its End, Afflicted by ‘Identifier Failure’

business-executive-and-his-energy-level-concept-vector-cartoon-i-507717540_4911x3472Heart Failure is a human condition that is characterized by several easily identifiable symptoms, including fatigue, difficulty breathing and in its later stages, gurgled breathing.  My mother and my mother-in-law both suffered from heart failure during their decline.  Analogous to heart failure in humans is a condition of an identifier system that is near the end of its useful life that we can call “identifier failure”.  At the end of November, a new FDA final guidance called “Requirements for Foreign and Domestic Establishment Registration and Listing for Human Drugs, Including Drugs That Are Regulated Under a Biologics License Application, and Animal Drugs” went into effect.  Buried deep within this 200+ page document is the official announcement that signaled the National Drug Code (NDC) identifier system is now afflicted with this end-stage condition.  The NDC won’t last long now, and there is no longer any excuse for inaction.  The need for a replacement is now urgent. Continue reading NDC Nearing Its End, Afflicted by ‘Identifier Failure’

FDA Finalizes Guidance On Suspect Product

suspect-product-final-guidanceHere we are, waiting for the FDA to publish new draft guidance related to the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) after a deadline that passed more than a year ago, and what do we get?  A final version of a guidance document that was originally published in draft form two and a half years ago:  “Identification of Suspect Product and Notification”.  Well, OK, thanks. 

I have to say, this is important guidance.  In fact, it is probably the most important DSCSA guidance that the FDA has published yet, whether in draft or final forms.  And, unfortunately, Continue reading FDA Finalizes Guidance On Suspect Product

Sponsored: Will Global Serialization Mandates Result In Less Counterfeiting?

iqpc-acf-sidebar-banner-1One of the focuses of RxTrace is to explore global pharma serialization and tracing regulations in an attempt to discover some of their implications.  Some implications turn out to be obvious, but some turn out to be surprising.  Identifying the implications early provides us with a better understanding of what to expect from our investments in time to fine-tune those investments.  If company leaders have a realistic understanding of what to expect from different investments, they will make better decisions for their stakeholders.  Can they expect to be fully compliant?  Only partly compliant, thus needing to spend more down the road?  Will they be fully compliant with the law, but disappoint their primary customers and thus find that their business takes a hit?  If they have a good idea of what to expect before they Continue reading Sponsored: Will Global Serialization Mandates Result In Less Counterfeiting?

Could Blockchain Technology Be Used For DSCSA Compliance?

c4scs-logoIf your email inbox is anything like mine it has recently been swamped with articles and webinar notices about the possible use of blockchain technology to solve multiple challenges in healthcare.  I recently attended a very interesting day-long workshop on that very topic. 

So is blockchain a real solution, or is it just the latest over-hyped buzzword that is being promoted by people who don’t understand the real needs of healthcare companies?  I’ll tell you what I think.  But first, a little background.

Blockchain technology is a way of encapsulating information within a layer of structured data that multiple parties can use as the basis for trust in the accuracy of the source of that information.  It’s all about adding trust to information that is shared between parties.  Trust is just one of the many Continue reading Could Blockchain Technology Be Used For DSCSA Compliance?