The document discusses counterfeit drugs and potential solutions to the problem. It describes instances where counterfeit Viagra and Ponstan were found for sale at low prices. Counterfeit drugs cost the pharmaceutical industry over $1 billion annually in the US alone. Potential solutions proposed include embedding technology in drug packaging and tightly controlling supply chains. RFID is discussed as an emerging preferred solution for tracking drugs through the supply chain, though challenges remain. The document provides details on how RFID tags were manufactured for a test of using RFID in the pharmaceutical supply chain.

1. The way to be safe is never to
be secure
Benjamin Franklin
FIGHT AGAINST DRUG
COUNTERFEIT

2. STOP COUNTERFIET

3. Counterfeit Viagra
Counterfeit
Viagra was
found in the
Summer of
2004 in two
retail
pharmacies
in California.
Bottles were
for 100mg,
30-counts.
Cost Cost
< $1/bottle $270/bottle
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4. Counterfeit Ponstan
Ponstan is an anti-inflammatory product. This counterfeit was
found in Columbia. The yellow powder consisted of boric acid,
floor wax, yellow highway paint. Pressed into tablets and placed
in foil packs with labeling.
Source: Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Research Association
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5. Drug Counterfeiting
 Cumulative US Counterfeiting Losses: Over $1 Billion
 Average impact to major manufacturer: $50 to $100 Million annually
 7% of the World Drug Supply Chain is Counterfeit—WHO
 Additional losses occur due to negative brand impacts and the costs
of recalling suspect product
http://www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/counterfeit/report/interim_report.html#IIA

6. Potential Solutions
 Product based solutions
 Self-contained positive identification of the genuine product
 Holographic labels, embed technology in the packaging or
product
 Supply chain level solutions
 Stop counterfeit product from entering the supply chain
 Tightly control the chain of custody with documented pedigree
 Solution is only as effective as the weakest link in the supply
chain
RFID Moves Forward, Hallie Forcinio, Pharmaceutical Technology/s
Packaging Forum editor
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7. Paper Vs E- Solution
Electronic Solutions:
A paper solution will be Advanced Bar Coding
very costly to the
industry and RFID
•Advanced bar coding
• Florida has enacted (i.e 2D) and RFID
pharmaceuical pedigree technologies are
papers potential technologies to
• Paper pedigree must be enable efficient
maintained through the
entire supply chain electronic pedigree
• Estimation on •RFID is emerging as
distribution side alone the preferred solution for
shows that efficiency package level tracking
would go down by 85%
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8. )
 A group of premier organizations in the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain have
worked together to explore the potential of RFID/EPC
 The limited test validated the feasibility of RFID in the pharmaceutical
supply chain
 A number of issues and limitations were identified
 While not a complete success, Jumpstart was a good first step
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9. RFID Tag Manufacturing Details
 Steps that were performed to create Jumpstart tags
printed EPC Number on label
converted inlay into 2-ply label
created inlay attaching chip to antenna
created chip with EPC Number EPC Number
printed on tag
Notch used by
printer to line
Showing peel up printing of
of tag from EPC Number
clear second on label
Tag was not
layer of 2-ply readable so
construction VOID printed
across tag.
These have
been removed
Roll of Tags from rolls sent
to companies
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