The pharmaceutical industry is no longer defined—or confined—by borders. Manufacturers are sourcing ingredients, materials, finished products, and contract packaging and manufacturing from around the world, and most are seeking to serve patients in multiple markets. The resulting supply chain is a complex one.
“Things are changing,” says Brian Johnson, senior director, supply-chain security, Pfizer Inc. “Markets are expanding, and where we are sourcing materials and manufacturing is changing.”
In a press release issued by Endo Pharmaceuticals, the company expressed concerns that the halting of production at Novartis Consumer Health’s manufacturing facility in Lincoln, NE—coming on the heels of production and packaging problems—will lead to short-term supply constraints for its pharmaceutical offerings.
TÜV Rheinland Industrial Solutions has introduced a new emergency rapid response service called Containment Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.). Developed to minimize OEM production disruptions when out-of-specification products have entered the supply chain, C.E.R.T. is made up of certified inspectors who can respond nationally and internationally to suspected quality issues throughout the supply chain.
Althea Technologies Inc. announced today that it has extended its service offering to include labeling, packaging, storage, and distribution of drug and biological products through its co-marketing partner, Sherpa Clinical Packaging. Sherpa, founded in 2011, is located adjacent to Althea's clinical and commercial-scale biologics and drug product manufacturing facilities. The proximity of the facilities to one another simplifies supply chain logistics for clients of each organization.
There is a growing need for creative out-of-the-box technologies that prevent a rift in patient safety while keeping a company’s investments and reputation in good standing. Counterfeiting, diversion, the resale of expired products, and complexities within the supply chain are forcing the healthcare industry to seek ahead-of-the-curve security packaging.
A joint collaborative between Acsis Inc., Cognex Corporation, Nosco, and Omega Design called “4 Serialization" is designed to help manufacturers, wholesale distributors and contract producers within the pharmaceutical and bio-tech industries implement product serialization and visibility throughout the supply chain to ensure patient safety and prevent counterfeiting. The ability to integrate a solution that is flexible enough to accommodate serialized and non-serialized products during a phased rollout can seem daunting to any organization.
Realigning itself as a product-centric company in the marketplace, Acsis Inc. will focus on increasing brand integrity, broadening strategic partnerships, and enhancing business agility for organizations through efficient supply chains, while continuing to expand their client base in key vertical markets. The new Acsis tagline is a credo for simplifying supply chain visibility, “Supply Chain Visibility. Anytime. Anywhere.”
GS1 Healthcare US develops an Industry Reference Model as part of it 2015 Readiness Program. The 2015 Readiness Program was established by GS1 Healthcare US to help members of the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain prepare for state drug pedigree requirements in 2015. Based on simulation methods, this unique program allows participants to examine and test business processes using GS1 Standards for product serialization and supply chain visibility.