Sensors & Transducers


Combating counterfeit medicines

August 2011 Sensors & Transducers

A fast growing problem worldwide.

Counterfeit medicine is a globally widespread and fast-growing problem. Driven by the World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) and others, anti-counterfeiting measures are being discussed, tested and implemented. All of them have one thing in common – the serialisation on the package.

Based on recent developments in anti-counterfeiting, such as pilot projects in Sweden from EFPIA and new legislation in Turkey, France and Brazil, it is expected that Europe will adopt 2D Data Matrix code technology for serialisation. The experts agree that the question is not if Europe will choose the 2D technology but when it will introduce the new legislation. Pharmaceutical packing proposals from the European Commission propose features that include individual product codes (2D) and seals that reveal any opening of the pack.

In the pharmaceutical industry this is going to result in ever increasing levels of functionality to detect the safety features and 2D codes using high-performance sensors for reliability. Track and trace software will also become more sophisticated, but packing lines of the future that try and operate without reliable sensor technology will not be able to operate efficiently.

This is where SICK’s 2D code readers and sensors can add value. Years of experience in R&D and production as well as experience in many other industries have made the solutions fast, reliable and easy to use. Additionally, the company can offer service agreements to cover the life-cycle of the products.



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