Pharmaceutical supply chains are increasingly vulnerable to counterfeiting and diversion. These threats compromise patient safety, erode consumer trust and damage brand reputation. To combat this, comprehensive solutions are needed to protect products and maintain supply chain integrity. We have partnered with GS1, the global standards organization, to enhance supply chain security and efficiency. This collaboration brings together our expertise and GS1’s globally recognized standards to provide innovative solutions for product authentication, traceability, and regulatory compliance.

Understanding the importance of supply chain integrity

Supply chain integrity is paramount in the pharmaceutical industry. It directly impacts patient safety by ensuring only authentic, safe, and effective medications reach consumers. A compromised supply chain can lead to counterfeit or diverted drugs entering the market, potentially endangering lives and eroding consumer trust.

Supply chain integrity is also essential for regulatory compliance. The Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) in the United States outlines requirements for product identification, traceability, and verification to combat counterfeiting and diversion. Finally, a company’s brand reputation and revenue are directly tied to supply chain integrity. Counterfeit or diverted products can damage a brand’s image and lead to financial losses.

GS1 standards: The foundation of a secure supply chain

GS1 standards are fundamental to achieving a secure and interoperable pharmaceutical supply chain. GS1 plays a critical role in establishing a common global language for product identification and data sharing. This standardization is essential for seamless communication and data exchange between various stakeholders, including manufacturers, distributors, healthcare providers, and patients.

Application Identifiers (AIs) ensure that information such as product identification numbers, batch or lot numbers, and expiration dates are accurately captured and interpreted across the supply chain. Electronic Product Code Information Services (EPCIS) provides a standardized framework for capturing and sharing information about the movement of products throughout supply chains.

Systech solutions: Enhancing supply chain security

We offer a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to enhance supply chain security, including serialization, product authentication, and traceability. Our UniTrace platform enables seamless tracking and tracing of products throughout the supply chain, providing a complete audit trail for each product.

Complementing UniTrace is our innovative e-Fingerprint technology, which creates a unique digital identifier for each product by analyzing the microscopic variations in printed barcodes. This “e-Fingerprint” acts as a digital twin, allowing for authentication at any point in the supply chain using a mobile app.

The benefits of the Systech-GS1 partnership

Our partnership with GS1 provides several key benefits to pharmaceutical companies, including improved traceability and visibility, enhanced regulatory compliance, increased supply chain efficiency, reduced errors and delays and strengthened brand protection.

Preparing for the future of the pharmaceutical supply chain

The pharmaceutical supply chain is on the brink of a major shift with the upcoming transition to 2D barcodes at the point of sale. This transition, driven by GS1’s initiative to sunset Universal Product Codes (UPCs) by 2027, will revolutionize how the industry manages inventory, handles recalls, combats counterfeiting, and engages with consumers.

We are committed to supporting this transition and future-proofing our solutions. Our embrace of GS1 standards for product identification, such as the GS1 Digital Link, ensures that our customers can seamlessly adapt to the new landscape and comply with evolving regulatory requirements.

The Bottom Line

The Systech-GS1 partnership signifies a strong commitment to innovation and patient safety within the pharmaceutical industry. Collaboration is essential for securing pharmaceutical supply chains. We actively engage with industry partners, regulatory bodies, and technology leaders to stay at the forefront of innovation and best practices.

Looking ahead, we envision a future where pharmaceutical serialization and traceability are seamlessly integrated across the entire supply chain. Our commitment to continuous improvement and technological advancement drives us to provide solutions that enhance patient safety, optimize supply chain operations, and protect brand integrity.

Download this whitepaper now to discover how innovative technologies can enhance your supply chain security and integrity.