Tag Archives: dispensers

DSCSA: OIG Report Exposes Likely Enforcement Approach

Last week the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) published their second report on the experience of selected members of the pharma supply chain with the exchange of drug product tracing information as required by the DSCSA.  This one was aimed at dispensers.  The one published last fall was aimed at wholesale distributors.  As you know, starting in January 1, 2015 (delayed until May 1, 2015), pharmaceutical wholesale distributors have been required to pass to their customers for non-exempt prescription drug shipments, and retain for six years, transaction documents (TI, TH and TS).  Since July 1, 2015 (delayed until March 1, 2016), dispensers have been required to receive and store these Continue reading DSCSA: OIG Report Exposes Likely Enforcement Approach

Sponsored: Dispenser Perspectives On The DSCSA: An IQPC Interview

Many RxTrace readers have a fairly good understanding of the perspective of drug manufacturers and wholesale distributors regarding the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) and its implementation, but dispenser perspectives are not so well understood.  Enter IQPC who interviewed Brian Files, Principal Consultant with Healthcare Strategies Consulting Group and former Director, Inventory and Compliance with CVS Health, one of the largest chain pharmacies in the US, to find out his perspectives on the DSCSA.

Continue reading Sponsored: Dispenser Perspectives On The DSCSA: An IQPC Interview

DSCSA Serialization Delay Eclipses Grandfathering

On August 21st, large portions of the United States and other places will experience a total eclipse of the sun by the moon.  On November 27th, the serialization and verification delay of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) contained within the FDA’s recent draft compliance policy (see “FDA Delays Enforcement of DSCSA November Deadline: What It Means”) will eclipse the grandfathering guidance that hasn’t even been published yet.  In fact, the overdue grandfathering guidance should be easy for the FDA to write now (see “Who Is Being Harmed By Four Overdue FDA DSCSA Guidances?”).  Grandfathering probably just won’t exist.  Here’s why. Continue reading DSCSA Serialization Delay Eclipses Grandfathering

DSCSA Cascading Delays

Last week I covered the likely impact of the recent draft compliance policy currently under a 60-day public comment period (see “DSCSA and RxTrace: The Song Remains The Same“).  This week, I will take a look at its likely impact on downstream trading partners, including repackagers, wholesale distributors and dispensers.

Under the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA), these organizations have specific obligations to only engage in transactions with product that has the DSCSA-mandated product identifier (serial number) on it (see “The DSCSA Product Identifier On Drug Packages“).  And when investigating suspect product or receiving saleable returns, they must Continue reading DSCSA Cascading Delays

Drug Samples Under Global Serialization and Tracing Regulations

istock-526070305-smallerSome pharma manufacturers make special packages of certain drugs that they give away to certain medical practitioners as a way of promoting the product and introducing the practitioner and their patients to it.  The method of distribution is usually through field sales people employed directly by the drug manufacturer, and the drug samples are delivered by them directly to the practitioner.

What could go wrong with that?  Probably diversion of the product contained within the “free sample” packaging back into the supply chain, but without the “free sample” indicator on the package.  Should these special packages be tracked?  Should they be serialized?  Continue reading Drug Samples Under Global Serialization and Tracing Regulations

FDA Limits Ongoing Dispenser Enforcement Discretion To First Responders

iStock_000022846474_smallerBack in October the FDA announced the extended use of enforcement discretion to temporarily set aside the data exchange provisions of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) for dispensers until March 1, 2016 (see “FDA Extends Dispenser Delay in DSCSA Enforcement“).  That was itself an additional four month extension to the four month enforcement discretion they originally announced on June 30 (see “FDA Publishes New Guidance Delaying Dispenser 3T Requirements Until November 1, 2015“).  Many dispensers were hoping for another extension in these last few days of February.  It turns out, the enforcement discretion will be extended until further notice, but apparently mostly just for first responders. Continue reading FDA Limits Ongoing Dispenser Enforcement Discretion To First Responders

Pay No Attention To The Enforcement Delay Unless You Are A Dispenser

iStock_000037865140_smallerAs I reported last Thursday, the FDA published new revised guidance that extends their enforcement delay of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) data exchange requirements for dispensers by an additional 4 months (see “FDA Extends Dispenser Delay in DSCSA Enforcement“).  What does this mean for drug manufacturers, wholesale distributors and repackagers? Continue reading Pay No Attention To The Enforcement Delay Unless You Are A Dispenser

FDA Extends Dispenser Delay in DSCSA Enforcement

FDALogoEarly this morning the FDA published a revised version of its “DSCSA Implementation: Product Tracing Requirements for Dispensers — Compliance Policy“, originally published on July 6, 2015 (see “FDA Publishes New Guidance Delaying Dispenser 3T Requirements Until November 1, 2015“).  That original document established the FDA’s intention to exercise “enforcement discretion” on dispenser transactions that fall under the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) dispenser requirements to receive Transaction Information (TI),Transaction History (TH) and a Transaction Statement (TS) until November 1, 2015, a four month delay in enforcement.

The revision published today pushes Continue reading FDA Extends Dispenser Delay in DSCSA Enforcement