This week, IQPC released the final report of a very interesting survey they conducted in April through June this year. The results are fresh and they paint a picture with good news, and not so good news about the readiness of pharmaceutical manufacturers facing serialization deadlines in the United States, the European Union and elsewhere. The survey focused on serialization planning, implementation progress, traceability in operation and benefits beyond compliance. You can download the full report here, but let’s take a look at the responses to just one of the questions they asked. Continue reading How Long Until You Are Fully Serialized?
Tag Archives: Pharma serialization
DSCSA Verification and Suspect Product
Last week I wrote about the debate over the number of possible responses to verification requests in any potential solution the industry might adopt to meet the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) (see “DSCSA Red Light Green Light: Verification Responses”). Today I want to take a closer look at a related issue: the relationship between verification and suspect product. Most specifically, does a failed verification automatically force a product into the suspect product category? The answer might surprise you. Continue reading DSCSA Verification and Suspect Product
DSCSA Red Light Green Light: Verification Responses
There is an important debate going on over the last 9 months regarding exactly how many different answers companies should prepare to provide in response to a DSCSA verification request. Some say two: “Red light” or “Green light”. And others say three: “Yes”, “No”, or “It’s Complicated”. This might seem like a minor question, but people on each side are surprisingly passionate about their positions. Let me explain. Continue reading DSCSA Red Light Green Light: Verification Responses
What Should FDA Pilot?
Last week the FDA announced it will coordinate one or more pilot(s) to assist in the development of the electronic, interoperable system that will identify and trace drugs in the U.S. under the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) in its Enhanced Drug Distribution Security (EDDS) phase starting in 2023. Once they start work on pilot planning, they will call for proposals from stakeholders and others. But they can’t start until they get permission from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and they won’t even ask OMB for permission until they collect comments on the proposed collection of information associated with establishing the pilot program. Believe it or not, that was the Continue reading What Should FDA Pilot?
FDA Announces New DSCSA Pilot Program and Public Meeting Series
Yesterday the FDA published a preview of two announcements related to the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA). One was announcing a new pilot program, “…to assist in development of the electronic, interoperable system that will identify and trace certain prescription drugs as these are distributed within the United States.” That is, the system that will comprise the “Enhanced Drug Distribution Security” (EDDS) system in 2023. The other announcement was for a series of DSCSA public meetings—also intended to work on the system in 2023. Both announcements include a docket for use by stakeholders and the public to submit written comments to the FDA. Continue reading FDA Announces New DSCSA Pilot Program and Public Meeting Series
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
DSCSA and RxTrace: The Song Remains The Same
Drug manufacturers facing the November 27, 2017 deadline for applying unique identifiers to their products should take care when interpreting the FDA’s recent draft compliance policy. All the headlines scream (including last week’s RxTrace essay: “FDA Delays Enforcement of DSCSA November Deadline: What It Means”) that the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) serialization deadline is delayed, but there are important nuances to the delay. Don’t just read the headlines, read the whole articles. Officially, the deadline remains the same. Yes, the FDA will look the other way for some drugs, but for others, the deadline still appears to apply. How do you know if your drugs are those where the deadline still applies? Read on. Continue reading DSCSA and RxTrace: The Song Remains The Same
FDA Delays Enforcement of DSCSA November Deadline: What It Means
As you have read, the FDA has let it slip, with a draft guidance document, that they have decided not to enforce the DSCSA’s November 27, 2017 deadline for manufacturers to apply the new serialized product identifier on drug packages and verification requirements for one year, but it also contains cascading enforcement delays (see “FDA Tea Leaves: Are They About To Delay The November Deadline?”). This is a major move by the FDA and it will have important consequences for the industry. Let’s break it down. Continue reading FDA Delays Enforcement of DSCSA November Deadline: What It Means