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Smart tags on pills set to improve supply chain security and patient adherence

PWC-Colorcon-TruTag technology coalition prove out the mass digitalization of pharma pills

11 Dec 2019
Laura Sisman
Administrator / Office Personnel

Industry news

A coalition of technology partners has announced that they have demonstrated the mass digitalization of pharmaceutical tablets and their linkage to a Trillian based trust ledger. They believe this will provide a major step forward in ensuring supply chain integrity and addressing the growing problem of patient non-adherence.

The supply chain simulation run by PwC Australia, Colorcon and TruTag Technologies created a secure, direct link between a physical tablet (placebo) and a digital backend, without having to rely on the traditional approach of authenticating traditional packaging barcodes.

The solution demonstrated has three components. The first is an intelligent coating system from Colorcon that is infused with spectrally-encoded particles, or TruTags, which act as edible barcodes. The second is an authentication application that can be used on commonly available cell phones that decodes and verifies the embedded TruTags. This application provides a link between the physical tablet and the third component of the solution, a Trillian based distributed- ledger operated by PwC Australia.

“Verifiable data ledger technology offers a new means of securing and sharing information. However, these systems are still reliant on ensuring a secure link via a crypto-anchor between the physical and digital world,” said Trent Lund, Partner at PwC Australia New Ventures. “TruTags are a perfect crypto-anchor for directly marking pharmaceuticals and foods.”

To date, the digitalization of medicines has been inhibited by the economic, regulatory and technical limitations. The breakthrough represents a major step forward in the fight against unauthorized and illegitimate pharmaceutical production and a true opportunity for regulators and industry to safeguard patients and improve supply-chain efficiency.

“This technology represents a new era of security and transparency for the pharmaceutical industry in which patients can be empowered to authenticate their own medicines,” said Michael Bartholomeusz, Chief Executive Officer of TruTag Technologies.

Beyond improved supply-chain integrity, this innovation could drive better communication and engagement between healthcare providers and patients with the potential to improve patient adherence.

“Intelligent coatings represent an incredible opportunity for patient communication and data collection” said Kelly Boyer, General Manager, Film Coatings of Colorcon. “This technology represents a new era of security and transparency for the pharmaceutical industry in which patients can be empowered to authenticate their own medicines”.

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Sample ManagementSample management systems include sample storage devices such as freezers and plate storers, sample environment enclosures and sample organization, retrieval and sorter systems. Useful system features include high-throughput, automation, robotic arms, automated liquid handling and associated database systems. Accessories in sample management include barcode scanners, heat sealers and tubes.Biopharmaceutical AdvancesBiopharmaceutical advances follow the development of pharmaceuticals derived from biotechnology, also known as biotechnology medicines. Biopharmaceuticals may be produced from cell lines, plants, or microbial cells. Important considerations of biopharmaceutical use include application, cost, production process and purification.Clinical TrialsClinical Trials, an essential part of drug discovery process, assess the safety and effectiveness of a new medication or device in the pharmaceutical industry. Clinical Trials are a phased process (Phase 0, Phase I, Phase II, Phase III and Phase IV) which begins after initial preclinical testing.Shipping / PackagingPackaging is the technology of enclosing or protecting products for distribution, storage, sale, and use and the process and production of packages. Packaging is closely linked to Shipping and the preparing of goods for transport, warehousing, logistics, sale, and end use. Within the pharmaceutical industry packaging and shipping are used for transport, storage and logistics between Contract Research Organizations (CROs), Manufacturing and Clinical Trial companies. Packaging is also critical in the final production of a pharmaceutical product before market. RegulatoryPharmaceutical regulations impact on all areas of drug development, manufacture and control and supply. Services are provided from the early stages of drug development and clinical trials through to dossier submission, approval and marketing. Regulatory also includes submission of analytical studies from the pharmaceutical product and safety. Barcoded SamplesPharmaceuticalsPharmaceuticals are medicinal drugs used in healthcare to diagnose, prevent, cure and treat illnesses. Pharmaceuticals that are excreted after use appear in wastewater and can have detrimental effects on the environment.ManufacturingManufacturing is the production of merchandise for use or sale using labor and machines, tools, chemical and biological processing, or formulation.

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Smart tags on pills set to improve supply chain security and patient adherence