EFPIA unveils new medicine coding system to help address the growing risk of counterfeit medicines

The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) has unveiled a Swedish pilot project to verify medicines and so help reduce the risk of counterfeit medicines being dispensed to patients. The verification system is being piloted in conjunction with project partners Apoteket AB, the Swedish pharmaceutical retailer, and local wholesalers, Tamro and Oriola-KD.

Using a small data matrix - similar to a barcode - to individually number each pack of medicine, the system can provide the pharmacist with an almost instantaneous verification as to whether a pack has been previously dispensed. A confirmation will immediately alert them to the risk that the pack may be counterfeit, the trade body notes.

Brian Ager, director general of the Association, said: 'This EFPIA initiative represents an important contribution to meeting the challenge posed by counterfeit medicines entering the legitimate supply chain. By investing in this pilot project, the research-based industry has demonstrated its ongoing commitment to patient safety.' However, he continued: 'Individual product verification will not provide a complete solution to the challenge of counterfeit medicines. Nevertheless, as part of a package of measures, this type of end-to end verification system will make a significant contribution to product security and reinforce patient confidence in the legitimate supply chain.'