Electronic Pedigrees

Not too long ago, the state of California passed a law that requires drug manufacturers to assign an electronic pedigree, or e-pedigree, to the products they manufacture, in order to be able to track them from manufacturer, to wholesaler, to retailer, lowering the risk of theft and counterfeiting. Similar laws are being considered by other states, but in the meantime, multinational corporation Pfizer has been quick to pick up the ball and run with it, striking up a deal with SupplyScape to license software that will issue and manage e-pedigrees for Viagra and other drugs.

This is not the first time Pfizer and SupplyScape have done business. The pharmaceutical giant has been using RxAuthentication software developed by SupplyScape in 2205, starting with a limited number of pharmacies and distributors. This tool that allows an online pharmacy or a wholesaler to corroborate the authenticity of Viagra packages with RFID chips. The new venture between the two companies will expand their business relationship so that it covers other medications as well.

The electronic pedigree software creates and manages a record all the way through the chain of supply. Pedigrees are expected to be assigned at the item level for high-risk drugs, and at the case level for lower risk drugs. It is not known as of yet if Pfizer will be using RFID chips, bar codes, or a combination of the two for their first electronic pedigree deployment. While bar codes are cheaper, they do require line of sight reading. SupplyScape chairman Shabbir Dahod expects the majority of manufacturers to use a mix of bar codes and chips to comply with the California law, depending on the particular medication.