Aegate News

Aegate launches traceability service, extending drug authentication to the distribution chain

Traceability introduces another barrier against counterfeit medicines

Aegate, London, 20 July, 2009: Patient safety communications company Aegate today announced the completion of further technical developments which now extend its drug authentication service to provide traceability within the pharmaceutical distribution chain. As industry stakeholders and governments seek effective barriers to prevent counterfeit medicines reaching patients, Aegate's traceability service builds on its existing operating platform of authenticating medicines at the point of dispense, permitting other certified actors within the distribution chain to be able to identify when and where a counterfeit drug enters. The solution not only supports Good Distribution Practices but creates a broader network of medicines checkpoints to tackle the growing counterfeit issue.

Aegate, is the only company in Europe who has successfully deployed a fully operational authentication system in pharmacies, protecting patients who receive their medicines through the legitimate supply chain. "Our commitment to patient safety and the delivery of a workable pharmacy authentication solution has been our absolute priority. "said Gary Noon, CEO, Aegate. "Responding to the needs of several European governments and stakeholders, and in line with the proposed European Pharmaceutical Package relating to counterfeit medicines, we are now able to underpin this with the provision of traceability."

Authentication at the point of dispense and traceability require medicines to contain a unique and, ideally, randomised machine readable code. This creates a passport for each medicinal item, which can be read at required points in the distribution chain - effectively passport control points.

Comments Noon "Traceability is distinct from authentication as multiple actors within the supply chain must participate. As a further defence against counterfeit medicines reaching consumers, placing additional checkpoints within the distribution chain will raise the barriers to entry. However, there is always a risk of whether there are enough checkpoints, are they in the right locations and will all actors comply, therefore pharmacy authentication remains a critical final barrier".

Verification of the unique machine readable code will log the medicines location, date and time as the product moves through the distribution chain, creating an audit trail en-route. It will also detect and prevent suspicious items from entering the chain or progressing towards the pharmacy.

A growing number of European Countries are starting to legislate for traceability including Italy, Turkey, Spain, France and Greece to protect their consumers from counterfeit drugs. "Traceability implemented with authentication is a pragmatic, effective and most importantly powerful method for tackling the dangerous growth of counterfeit medicines entering the legal supply chain," concludes Gary Noon.