[This essay is one of two long lost essays that have now been restored on RxTrace.  It was originally published on November 15, 2010.  See “Return Of Two Classics” for an explanation.]

In one of my most widely read essays, “RFID is DEAD…At Unit-Level in Pharma”, I pointed out that the choice of serial number carrier technology to be used for compliance with the California Pedigree Law would be decided solely by the pharmaceutical manufacturers.  I pointed out that most of them would end up choosing 2D barcodes because their ongoing costs for Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) would be too high.

Since the law doesn’t specify a carrier technology, and because the manufacturers will foot the bill for whatever technology is used, naturally, they get to lead the supply chain in that choice.  If you don’t like what they are choosing, then please, step up and pay them to put your preferred carrier technology on their packages.  I’m sure the manufacturer’s would put whatever you want to pay for on their packages as long as it would comply with the law.

But what about the pedigree model that the supply chain will use for compliance?  Can we apply similar logic to determine who will get to choose the technology that defines what a compliant pedigree is?  Yes we can!  And here it is. Continue reading Who Will Decide Which Pedigree Model You Will Invest In? →