IBM RFID ePedigree Drug Solution Track Supply Chain Movements

IBM has developed a solution that enables pharmaceutical companies to create an electronic certificate of authenticity, an electronic pedigree or ePedigree, for drugs that move through the supply chain, from manufacturers to distributors, pharmacies and hospitals. ...

... "The ePedigree feature is a key capability of the new version of IBM's WebSphere RFID Information Center (RFIDIC), a high performance data repository that allows clients to efficiently manage and securely share information with trading partners to authenticate pharmaceuticals. Unlike competing solutions, the IBM offering was designed to manage and aggregate product serial numbers to enable processes in manufacturing plants, distribution centers, pharmacies, and hospitals.

IBM's new ePedigree feature allows clients to comply with new and emerging regulations such as those that will take effect in California in 2009 using either RFID, 2D barcodes, or a combination of barcodes and RFID. The offering provides a flexible track and trace framework for generating ePedigrees through standards-based EPC Information Services. By establishing ePedigree via EPCIS events and queries, clients will also be able to easily access key data elements to solve other business needs such as chargeback resolution and expiration management. " ...

Via IBM: ePedigree System to Combat Drug Counterfeiting and Help Clients Comply With Regulations

Pharma RFID Integrated ePedigree with ERP

Acsis can reduce the time required to integrate ERP systems, RFID serialization systems and electronic pedigree (ePedigree) solutions through collaboration with pharmaceutical companies and SupplyScape ePedigree software. ...

... "The pharmaceutical supply chain is undergoing dramatic changes as manufacturers, distributors and retailers accelerate various initiatives to protect patient safety, product integrity, supply chain security, company brand and product revenue streams. To help meet this challenge and the related federal and state mandates, Acsis, in conjunction with SupplyScape, is deploying the industry's first scalable end-to-end RFID serialized solution, providing bi-directional integration of ERP systems and ePedigree applications. As part of the solution, Acsis integrates serialization information between the manufacturing shop floor and the ERP system, facilitating serialized Rx Advanced Shipping Notices (RxASN) and ePedigree records. " ...

Via Acsis: ERP, ePedigree and RFID Device Management Solutions for Pharmaceutical Marketplace

Secure RFID through Partnership

SkyeTek and Atmel will partner to create secure HF reader and tag platforms for the RFID market. ...

... "The partnership between Atmel and SkyeTek will provide customers with an ultra-secure option for embedded RFID applications. Resulting solutions leverage CryptoRF's security features and the enterprise-class reliability and price-performance of the SkyeTek ReaderDNA and ReaderWare technology. This combination will provide customers with the ability to adapt RFID technology into existing applications and is well positioned to provide valuable solutions addressing ePedigree, patient safety, consumables authentication, item-level inventory management, and ticketing. SkyeTek's ReaderWare also provides the capability to upgrade the reader to support future tags, protocols, and cryptography via a firmware upgrade. " ...

Via SkyeTek: SkyeTek and Atmel Partner to Offer Industry Leading Secure RFID Technology ...

RFID Drug Authentication eCustoms

IBM announces solution that provides ability to share and analyze real-time RFID sensor data to enable drug authentication and e-customs for clients in the pharmaceutical value chain. ...

... "The new technology, WebSphere RFID Information Center, is based on a recently completed EPCglobal standard called EPCIS, which provides a standard way to securely communicate the data created by sensors and RFID tags, and tie it to existing business information and trading partners. The growing trend of item-level tagging will create exponential growth in sensor data well beyond that generated from conventional barcode technology. This creates a need for a new way to manage this explosion of data in a manner that does not overwhelm a business and its supply chain partners. In addition to managing the massive amount of data RFID creates, two other barriers to widespread RFID adoption to date have been the lack of standards and data sharing capabilities. RFID Information Center solves all of these issues, clearing the way for wider-spread RFID adoption in various industries.

The IBM WebSphere RFID Information Center has already been successfully deployed for a number of early-adopter IBM clients across several industries, including consumer packaged goods company Unilever, the e-customs project ITAIDE in Europe, and Big Three pharmaceutical distributor AmerisourceBergen. " ...

Via IBM: IBM Enables Drug Authentication, E-Customs With Release of New RFID Technology ...

Pharma RFID: Warehouse ePedigree Ready ...

H.D. Smith, pharma wholesaler, invests in new warehouse in the New England market. The facility can leverage RFID for tracking drugs and securing the chain-of-custody through the supply chain. ...

... "Both facilities are designed to use radio frequency identification (RFID) and e-pedigree tracking. " ...

Via Union Leader: Pharmaceutical firm opens Stratham site ...

RFID Retail: Apparel Payback ...

Laudis demo planned for RFID conference will show payback in the retail apparel industry ...

... "The RFID Journal and AAFA Summit, held at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York Aug. 15-16, is the first event of its kind designed to address RFID-related opportunities and issues in the apparel and footwear industry. Laudis and NCR will demonstrate their collaborative end-to-end RFID solution that allows manufacturers to tag apparel at the source, enabling retailers to verify the location or the receipt of garments anywhere within the supply chain. The demonstration (Laudis AAFA Summit booth #3) will feature the Laudis apparel applications and item-level tracking solutions for clothing and footwear. NCR will provide hardware, such as hang tags, flap tags and RFID-reader technology. NCR is also providing Laudis with consulting services and installation support for its end-to-end clothing solution. " ...

Via NCR: NCR and Laudis Systems Demonstrate End-to-End RFID Solution for Apparel Industry ...

Retail RFID applications are discussed ...

Via CIO Magazine: The RFID Imperative - Retail - prepare systems for RFID technology: "Like most CIOs in the retail industry, he believes that widespread RFID adoption is a sure thing and that the technology—which some day will enable him to track every single product, from manufacture to checkout ... "

ABI has researched the market for retail RFID use ...

The RFID Retail Market Market Research Report from ABI Research: "The retail market is possibly the most talked about in the RFID industry. Although Wal-Mart is not the only retailer that has issued an RFID mandate for its suppliers, it is still the most popular subject. This market is expected to be one of the fastest growing RFID verticals. "

T3CI offers RFID-enabled business intelligence capabilities for the retail industry ...

Via T3CI: RFID Analytics and Application Leadership; Experience Delivering Business Value to Major Retail Suppliers Drive Investment Decision: "T3Ci's software and subscription services are designed for leaders of RFID initiatives at major retail suppliers and pharmaceutical companies to deliver business value from their RFID investments. The company's enterprise-class solutions provide RFID data analysis (only for retailers who allow 3rd party analysis of their EPC data), deductions management and authentication/anti-counterfeiting/e-pedigree – the most comprehensive RFID applications vision. "

RFID Phase Jitter Modulation Technology ...

Zebra licenses Magellan's PJM Phase Jitter Modulation technology to support its RFID produtct development. ...

... "Under the license agreement, Zebra has the right to develop and commercialize RFID reader modules and tags that incorporate Magellan's patented PJM technology. In 2006, Zebra plans on embedding the reader modules in its printer/encoder products to enable more efficient programming of smart labels and tags. Ratified in 2004, PJM is an HF RFID system specified in an existing global standard: ISO/IEC 18000-3 mode 2, RFID for Item Management. Because the technology is optimized for applications where many hundreds of tags are packed tightly or need to be read reliably in dynamic situations, it is an ideal solution for pharmaceutical e-Pedigree, document control, gaming and other applications." ...

RFID Phase Jitter Modulation Technology: Via Zebra Technologies: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES ANNOUNCES NEW RFID LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH MAGELLAN TECHNOLOGY ...

Magellan Technology Pty Ltd, Sydney, Australia, is a technology developer, manufacturer and licensor of advanced read and write 13.56MHz RFID systems. Magellan designs and offers RFID chips, inlets and a complete reader portfolio (multi channel, multi antenna, tunnel, and tray readers) and all operating software. Magellan’s Phase Jitter Modulation (PJM) technology complies with the International Standard ISO/IEC 18000 Part 3 Mode 2. PJM is optimized for applications where many hundreds of tags are stacked tightly or need to be identified reliably in dynamic situations including pharmaceutical authentication, document control, jewelry tracking and gaming management. The technology is also optimized for conveyor fed applications where tags are presented in all orientations. Typical applications are in the airline baggage, postal and courier markets. Magellan develops and licenses its PJM technology world wide to interested parties including other manufacturers and system integrators.

RFID Drug Pedigree Accelerates ...

FDA accelerates the use of RFID technology to support the electronic pedigree for drugs. ...

... "Among other new measures, FDA will fully implement regulations related to the Prescription Drug Marketing Act of 1987, which requires drug distributors to provide documentation of the chain of custody of drug products -- the so-called pedigree - throughout the distribution system. FDA had placed on hold certain regulatory provisions because of concerns raised at the time about the impact on small wholesalers. Most recently, in early 2004, FDA delayed the effective date of certain regulatory provisions regarding pedigrees to allow the industry time to adopt electronic technology for tracking drugs through the supply chain.

Based on information from drug supply stakeholders, the FDA had expected this technology to be in widespread use in the drug supply chain by 2007, but it now appears that these expectations will not be met. Further, FDA has not heard that the concerns raised in the past regarding the impact on small wholesalers remains, and in fact, FDA was encouraged by most drug stakeholders to allow the hold to expire. Doing so would also provide clarity in the drug supply chain regarding who is and is not required to pass a pedigree. Continuing the hold would perpetuate the current confusion and further allow opportunities for counterfeit and diversionary practices. FDA has, therefore, determined that it can no longer justify not implementing these regulations. Accordingly, the hold, which will expire in December, will not be continued.

A potential new measure to safeguard the drug supply is the use of electronic track and trace technology, such as radio-frequency identification (RFID), which creates an electronic pedigree (e-pedigree) for tracking the movement of the drug through the supply chain. The FDA had expected this technology to be in widespread use in the drug supply chain by 2007. In early 2004 FDA delayed the effective date of the regulatory provisions regarding pedigrees to allow the industry time to adopt this technology. However, it now appears that FDA's expectations for adoption of the technology by 2007 will not be met. FDA therefore has determined it can no longer justify delaying implementation of the pedigree regulations. " ...

RFID Drug Pedigree Accelerates: Via FDA: FDA Announces New Measures to Protect Americans from Counterfeit Drugs

RFID Research Pharma Industry Frequency for ePedigree ...

Unisys and ODIN Tech collaborate on RFID frequency research for pharmaceutical industry ePedigree applications ...

... "Sponsored by Unisys, who collaborated with ODIN in the design of testing protocols and use cases, the benchmark addresses the industry's heated debate over which frequency, high (HF) or ultra-high (UHF) works best for item-level pharmaceutical tracking and authentication. The testing focused on scientific evaluation of various tags and then pinpointed several popular applications or use-case testing scenarios. Significant collaboration with pharmaceutical clients and partners, including manufacturers and distributors, made the tests particularly salient to a broad audience in the pharmaceutical world. All of the testing was conducted with hardware and tags that are available in production quantities to end-users today. No prototype or hand-built artifacts were allowed in the research as they are untested in production environments and prototype demonstrations are often misleading.

After completing scientific tag testing, ODIN technologies and Unisys extended this study to include RFID use cases typical in the pharmaceutical supply chain. The team used standard pill bottles, liquid filled bottles and blister packs for the testing. These use cases uncover the core requirements of RFID as an e-Pedigree and product authentication tool in the pharmaceutical supply chain. This step goes beyond mere demonstration or theoretical analysis to provide direct evidence of HF and UHF RFID performance in a real world setting. Since there is a wide variety in RFID tag and reader performance, multiple UHF and HF tags and readers were utilized throughout the process. The final performance analysis was based on the best performing reader and tag combinations in each frequency. " ...

RFID Research Pharma Industry Frequency for ePedigree: Via Unisys: Unisys & ODIN technologies' Research Reveals RFID High- vs. Ultra-high Frequency Leader for Pharmaceutical Industry

ODIN technologies is the leader in the physics of RFID infrastructure testing, deployment and software. ODIN technologies leverages its team of RF engineers, physicists and software developers combined with its laboratory facilities to provide RFID consulting services to major retailers, pharmaceutical companies, consumer goods manufacturers, United States government agencies and other RFID adopters. In addition to client deployment services, ODIN technologies is also the publisher of the RFID Benchmark Series, the industry's first and most referenced head to head performance analysis of leading RFID components. ODIN's President and CEO, Patrick J. Sweeney II is also author of RFID for Dummies published by John Wiley & Sons. ODIN technologies is privately held and has labs and offices in Dulles, VA.

FDA RFID Anti-Counterfeit Drug Workshop ...

Upcoming FDA workshop on RFID anti-counterfeiting for drugs ...

... "The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing a public workshop and vendor display on the use of electronic track and trace technology to combat counterfeit drugs. The purpose of the meeting is as follows: To identify incentives for widespread adoption of radio-frequency identification (RFID), as well as obstacles to the adoption of RFID across the U.S. drug supply chain and possible solutions to those obstacles; to solicit comment on the implementation of the pedigree requirements of the Prescription Drug Marketing Act (PDMA) and the use of an electronic pedigree (e-pedigree); and to learn the state of technology development related to electronic track and trace and e-pedigree technology solutions. To address these issues, we are inviting interested individuals, organizations, and other stakeholders to present information to FDA's Counterfeit Drug Task Force. We are also inviting vendors of track and trace technologies and e-pedigree solutions relevant to the drug distribution system to display their products for the educational benefit of FDA and attendees. (For this meeting, we are only interested in displays from vendors of track and trace technology and e-pedigree solutions for the PDMA requirement, as opposed to covert or overt counterfeiting technologies, such as holograms or colorshifting inks.)

2 DATES AND TIMES: The public workshop and vendor display will be held on February 8 and 9, 2006, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. See section V of this document for information on how to register to attend, present at the workshop, or participate in the vendor display. If you would like to present at the workshop or participate in the vendor display, you must register by January 27, 2006. " ...

Via FDA: Anti-Counterfeit Drug Initiative Workshop and Vendor Display ...

Pharma Industry RFID Opportunity ...

Via Line56.com: Pharma RFID Opportunity ...

... "The FDA has been active in promoting RFID and other forms of Auto-ID, the State of Florida will be a passing a new drug pedigree law in June 2006 to secure and verify the chain of custody of all drugs shipped into the state, and retailer WalMart's RFID mandate extends to suppliers of Class II narcotics. " ...

FDA RFID: Drug Supply Safety ...

While no silver bullet exits, the FDA believes in a balanced technology-enabled approach to ensuring the safety of the nation's drug supply. RFID technology is one of multiple technical methods recommended for further consideration by the FDA. ...

FDA RFID: Drug Supply Safety: Via FDA: Ensuring the Safety of America's Drug Supply Speech by Dr. Scott Gottlieb on September 20, 2005

... "Many people believe that FDA interprets our counterfeit drug report that we issued to address this growing threat as saying that we want RFID implemented by 2007. We said that an electronic pedigree should be feasible by 2007, and right now, RFID is the most promising technology to help deliver on that need. We believe that we can accelerate the development, the testing, the feasibility testing and the cost-effectiveness testing, of many of these technologies that are in development today. And as we are trying to do in other areas of FDA activities where there are new technologies that can be valuable, we want to bring them to benefit patients as soon as possible. " ...

WinRFID Network Edge System ...

WinRFID Network Edge System: Via RFID@WINMEC - RFID Research

... "WinRFID provides a seamless RFID system which can deliver intelligent information by filtering and aggregating data collected at the edge of an RFID network from a variety of transponders through diverse readers. WinRFID infrastructure technology is being tested for diverse set of applications including medical/healthcare, asset tracking, supply chain, retail, library/document tracking, security and e-pedigree. " ...

RFID Electronic Pedigree BioPharmaceuticals ...

RFID Electronic Pedigree BioPharmaceuticals: FFF Enterprises and SupplyScape Partner to Launch Nation's First Electronic Pedigree for Biopharmaceuticals: Largest U.S. biopharmaceuticals distributor and pedigree technology leader collaborate to provide first drug tracking system from manufacturer to distributor to healthcare providers nationwide ...

FFF and SupplyScape collaborate to develop RFID-enabled electronic pedigree process for the biopharmaceutical space ...

... "Over the last two years, SupplyScape has provided the industry leadership to define an open, universal pedigree solution that works for all drugs today and RFID tagged drugs that may be available in the future. Our partnership with FFF Enterprises is a natural one, said Shabbir Dahod, president and CEO of SupplyScape Corporation. We provide the most mature solution leading to rapid deployment of a safe and secure supply chain, and FFF Enterprises differentiates itself with its unique business approach of providing distribution with the highest integrity. We believe our combined efforts are improving the quality of healthcare for millions of Americans by keeping their drugs safer. " ...

FFF Enterprises was founded in 1988 and has since grown into a multidimensional healthcare company, delivering innovative solutions in biopharmaceutical management and distribution, health information management and consumer healthcare services. FFF is now the nation's largest supplier of human plasma products and vaccines, and also distributes other biopharmaceuticals and clinical trial drugs. Customers of FFF's four divisions include members of the leading U.S. acute care and non-acute care group purchasing organizations, pharmaceutical manufacturers, biotech companies, contract research organizations, managed healthcare and consumers. FFF's unique distribution business model has institutionalized Guaranteed Channel Integrity™, which reflects the company's commitment to purchase only from manufacturers and ship only to healthcare providers - one clear line with no gray in between. This protects products from secondary and gray markets, and improves patient safety.

SupplyScape provides electronic pedigree software and expertise to safeguard and secure the pharmaceutical supply chain. A leader in defining an open universal standards-based electronic pedigree solution for the pharmaceutical industry, the company's executives enable manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and pharmacies to derive sustainable business value from their investments in electronic pedigree and supply chain security.

Procter Gamble RFID T3CI Strategic Partnership

Procter Gamble RFID T3CI Strategic Partnership: T3Ci: The RFID Analytics and Applications Company The Procter & Gamble Company and T3Ci Multi-Year Joint EPC/RFID Applications Development Agreement: RFID Expert Steve Rehling of Procter & Gamble Joins T3Ci Customer Advisory Board ...

... "We are honored that Procter & Gamble has selected T3Ci as their strategic RFID partner, said Jonathan Golovin, CEO T3Ci. Procter & Gamble is not only an experienced early pioneer in the exploration of the potential benefits of RFID technology, but has also demonstrated leadership in the development of EPCglobal standards. " ...

T3Ci, the leading RFID analytics and applications company, develops and markets software and subscription services for leaders of RFID initiatives at major retail suppliers, major retailers and pharmaceutical companies who are responsible for delivering business value from their company's RFID investment. T3Ci's enterprise-class solutions include: RFID data analysis services and software, deductions management and authentication/ e-pedigree, representing the most comprehensive RFID application vision in the industry. To date, T3Ci has more experience in analyzing and gaining business value from retailer EPC data than any other company. They recently received AMR Research's 2005 Innovation Award as the most innovative software and services company in America under $10 million. T3Ci's customers include P&G, Gillette, Unilever and HP.

Two billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers(R), Tide(R), Ariel(R), Always(R), Whisper(R), Pantene(R), Bounty(R), Pringles(R), Folgers(R), Charmin(R), Downy(R), Lenor(R), Iams(R), Crest(R), Actonel(R), Olay(R), Clairol Nice •n Easy(R), Head & Shoulders(R) and Wella(R). The P&G community consists of about 110,000 employees working in almost 80 countries worldwide.

RFID Electronic Pedigree Pilot ...

SupplyScape RFID Electronic Pedigree Pilot: SupplyScape and Unisys Pilot Pharmaceutical Industry's First Electronic Pedigree System for Commercial Drugs

... "The pilot project is the pharmaceutical industry's first electronic drug pedigree, which is a certificate of authenticity detailing a drug's movement through the supply chain. It will track the distribution of one of Purdue Pharma L.P.'s analgesic products from the manufacturing facility to the seventh largest wholesaler in the U.S., H. D. Smith. Using a universal electronic pedigree model, the system is designed to help reduce the risk of counterfeit medicines being introduced into the legitimate supply chain. The pedigree management system is a first-of-its-kind, open system, with technology designed to certify medicines as legitimate throughout the supply chain. The system uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or barcodes to match each medication container with its corresponding pedigree. Without the pedigree, it is difficult to determine where a drug has been and if it is authentic. " ...

Unisys is a worldwide information technology services and solutions company. Our people combine expertise in consulting, systems integration, outsourcing, infrastructure and server technology with precision thinking and relentless execution to help clients, in more than 100 countries, quickly and efficiently achieve competitive advantage. Purdue Pharma L.P. and its independent, associated U.S. companies are privately held pharmaceutical companies known for pioneering research on persistent pain. Headquartered in Stamford, CT, Purdue is engaged in the research, development, production, and distribution of both prescription and over-the-counter medicines and hospital products. Headquartered in Springfield, Illinois, H. D. Smith is the largest privately held national full-service wholesale distributor that provides a complete line of pharmaceuticals, OTCs, HBAs, surgical supplies, seasonal merchandise and a wide array of marketing programs to retail, hospital and institutional pharmacies. The company has five distribution facilities in California, Illinois, New Jersey, and Texas that service major markets in the west, mid-west, southwestern and northeastern United States, and will soon open a sixth distribution center located in southern Florida that is expected to be fully operational in early 2005.

RFID Track and Trace Technology

RFID Track and Trace Technology: Manhattan Associates Continues to Build Momentum with Microsoft Industry Builder Initiative

... "In order to comply with electronic pedigree regulations, Harvard Drug intends to implement this solution in a phased rollout across its entire distribution network. Harvard Drug will roll out Supply Chain Execution for Microsoft Axapta at its Indianapolis distribution center first and will then extend the rollout across its two other facilities. Additionally, its future plans include implementing RFID technology to further improve its track and trace capabilities." ...

Manhattan Associates, Inc., is the global leader in providing supply chain execution and optimization solutions. It enables operational excellence through its warehouse, transportation, distributed order management, reverse logistics and trading partner management applications, as well as its RFID, performance management and event management capabilities. These Integrated Logistics Solutions™ leverage state-of-the-art technologies, innovative practices and our domain expertise to enhance performance, profitability and competitive advantage. Manhattan Associates has licensed more than 900 customers representing more than 1,600 facilities worldwide, which include some of the world's leading manufacturers, distributors and retailers.

Strategic RFID Applications: EPC Standards

Strategic RFID Applications: The Procter & Gamble Company and T3Ci Announce Multi-Year Joint EPC/RFID Applications Development Agreement: RFID Expert Steve Rehling of Procter & Gamble Joins T3Ci Customer Advisory Board ...

P&G collaborates to develop strategic use of RFID applications, using the EPC standards, to lead the CPG industry ...

... "T3Ci, the leading RFID analytics and applications company, and The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG) today announced a multi-year, non-exclusive joint development agreement to collaboratively identify and build high value RFID applications designed to leverage the EPCglobal RFID standards. The two companies aim to jointly develop a range of strategic RFID applications as learning continues behind RFID programs at multiple retailers. " ...

T3Ci, the leading RFID analytics and applications company, develops and markets software and subscription services for leaders of RFID initiatives at major retail suppliers, major retailers and pharmaceutical companies who are responsible for delivering business value from their company's RFID investment. T3Ci's enterprise-class solutions include: RFID data analysis services and software, deductions management and authentication/ e-pedigree, representing the most comprehensive RFID application vision in the industry. To date, T3Ci has more experience in analyzing and gaining business value from retailer EPC data than any other company. They recently received AMR Research's 2005 Innovation Award as the most innovative software and services company in America under $10 million. T3Ci's customers include P&G, Gillette, Unilever and HP.

Two billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios