Tag Archives: DSCSA

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

The New GS1 US DSCSA Implementation Guidance Suite

A few weeks ago, GS1 US published version 1.2 of the DSCSA implementation guidance that documents how to apply GS1 standards when meeting the U.S. Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA).  GS1 US is the GS1 Member Organization (MO) in the United States, of GS1, the global supply chain standards organization.  Companies who market drugs in the U.S. pharma supply chain and their solution providers will find this new version to be an indispensable resource that will Continue reading The New GS1 US DSCSA Implementation Guidance Suite

Will President Trump Eliminate The DSCSA?

screen_shot_2016-10-30_at_1-39-54_pm__previewPresident-elect Donald Trump has made no secret of his interest in eliminating regulations that burden businesses unnecessarily.  And he may take a particular interest in those that were newly imposed under President Obama.  He has vowed to use his first 100 days to repeal “Obamacare”, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and his plans include “ cutting the red tape at the FDA: there are over 4,000 drugs awaiting approval, and we especially want to speed the approval of life-saving medications.”  Could the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) get caught up in that vow and also be repealed?  There are three obvious possibilities. Continue reading Will President Trump Eliminate The DSCSA?

5 Myths About The DSCSA In 2023

istock_67972853_smallerThere are a number of misconceptions floating around the industry right now about what will happen in November of 2023, when the Enhanced Drug Distribution Security (EDDS) phase mandated by the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) begins.  It is surprising where you hear some of these, but they are all based on mis-reads of the DSCSA law itself.  I’ll explain the myths, and then I will try to provide extracts from the DSCSA that expose them as myths. Continue reading 5 Myths About The DSCSA In 2023

China’s Retreat From Pharma Serialization: Will This Become A Global Trend?

istock_102889873_smallerChina once had one of the most aggressive pharma serialization mandates of any market.  Their compliance timeline began in 2007 with a list of “essential drugs” and ended in January of this year when, effectively, all drug packages were required to carry a unique serial number.  Shortly after that milestone the government suspended that requirement, pending a new regulation.  Since that time the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) has posted several documents related to their new plans (see “China Adds Traceability Requirement To CFDA Drug Quality Management Specification”).  Last month a new notice from the CFDA Continue reading China’s Retreat From Pharma Serialization: Will This Become A Global Trend?

Is The FDA Intentionally Delaying Publication Of The Overdue DSCSA Guidance?

Last week I wrote about the recent FDA DSCSA Public Meeting where the FDA asked for reports on the progress of the industry toward meeting the November 27, 2017 serialization requirements contained in the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) (see “FDA Forfeits Opportunity To Guide Industry”).  In that essay I expressed a view that the FDA has squandered too much of the time necessary for the industry to meet whatever guidance they might offer about grandfathering and exceptions for products that are too small to accommodate a DSCSA product identifier.  These guidance documents are now 11 months late.

What if the delay in publishing these guidance documents is intentional? Continue reading Is The FDA Intentionally Delaying Publication Of The Overdue DSCSA Guidance?

FDA Forfeits Opportunity To Guide Industry

fda-building-2016-10-14-16-38-20I hope you were able to attend last Friday’s FDA DSCSA Public Meeting at FDA’s White Oak, Maryland campus (see “FDA To Hold DSCSA Public Meeting”).  If you missed it, make sure you listen in on the recording that the FDA will provide on the event webpage.  You can also submit written comments through that page as well.  The event was called “Progress Toward Implementing the Product Identification Requirements of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA)” and it consisted of very brief introductory comments by the FDA followed by presentations made by attendees who applied for a speaking slot.  Presentations covering progress toward the November 27, 2017 DSCSA serialization requirements were made by: Continue reading FDA Forfeits Opportunity To Guide Industry

Sponsored: Interview With Two Pharma Supply Chain Thought Leaders

iqpc-nov16-336x280The 4th Pharmaceutical Traceability Forum will occur on November 30 through December 2 in Philadelphia.  Two of the top speakers will be Matt Sample, Senior Director, Secure Supply Chain from AmerisouceBergen, one of the “Big-3” wholesale distributors in the United States, and Christopher Howell, Senior Director, Global Engineering and Technology from Patheon, one of the largest pharma contract manufacturers in the U.S..  Recently, IQPC conducted an interview of both of these supply chain thought leaders.  Get a copy of the interviews here. Continue reading Sponsored: Interview With Two Pharma Supply Chain Thought Leaders