Warrendale, PA – In a report issued yesterday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) highlighted specific steps the agency is taking to keep the U.S. drug supply secure. The report cites that Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)tagging "of products by manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers appears to be the most promising approach to reliable product tracking and tracing" and "Most importantly, reliable RFID technology will make the copying of medications either extremely difficult or unprofitable." The agency goes on to detail a timeline that would lead to mass serialization and RFID adoption by 2007.
"AIM applauds the FDA for their leadership in utilizing technology to combat counterfeit drugs and the dangers that they represent to patient safety," said Dan Mullen, President, AIM Global. "The capabilities of RFID and other Automatic Identification technologies will deliver sweeping benefits for patients and the entire healthcare community."
According to the FDA, commercial deployment of RFID and its track and trace capabilities will be feasible by 2007. In the meantime, the FDA is working with sponsors and participants of RFID pilots to address regulatory issues.
Given the incredible demand for education on RFID and bar code technologies in the healthcare market, AIM has launched several regional conferences to provide clear guidance to the solution providers and the healthcare professional. To learn more about "The Prescription for Patient Care & Healthcare Profits: The FDA Bar Code Rule and RFID Technology" and "Tapping the Healthcare Market: The FDA Bar Code Rule & RFID Technology" visit http://www.aimglobal.org/calendar/meetings/04May/focusevent.htm and http://www.aimglobal.org/calendar/meetings/04May/channel.htm
For a complete copy of the FDA report, visit http://www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/counterfeit/
AIM Inc. is the global trade association and recognized worldwide authority on automatic identification, data collection and networking in a mobile environment. AIM members are providers and users of technologies, systems and services that capture, manage and integrate accurate data into larger information management systems. As a not-for-profit industry organization, AIM's mission is to stimulate the understanding, adoption and use of technology by providing timely, unbiased and commercial-free news and information. For more information, contact the AIM office at AIM Inc., 125 Warrendale-Bayne Rd., Ste. 100, Warrendale, PA 15086, telephone +1-724-934-4470 or fax +1-724-934-4495. For direct online access to AIDC information or additional support, access the AIM Web site at www.aimglobal.org or www.rfid.org.
