Currently in the Colombian market whole process traceability of pharmaceutical products is virtually Manual, dependent only the basic barcode of the product and any additional information from various sources placed along the supply chain (date of manufacture, batch and serial); You do not have an information system to consolidate or centralize this data.
Some years ago a law requiring drug traceability along the entire supply chain was approved, called Law 1122 the 2007. This legislation said the National Institute of Food and Drug Monitoring as the body to regulate this system of traceability.
This drove him to several key players as suppliers, dealers, pharmacies, etc. to join the initiative led by GS1, Working Group called for the Health Sector and Social Security, in order to meet these government requirements. So, a traceability system to consider defined:
- unique identification of any medication;
- the possibility of representing this identification, ensuring security and integrity, authenticating products, and the ability to streamline processes through automated data capture;
- appropriate technology for capturing information from each event automatically;
- the development of applications that allow consumers to access legal information of interest.
In October 2011, Pfizer and one of the largest wholesalers of pharmaceutical products, Dromayor, They began working on a pilot to validate the impact of the traceability system through the use of standards such as GS1 Bar Code (GTIN), the two-dimensional code GS1 DataMatrix and Global Data Synchronization Network GS1 (GDSN).
With a focus on nine products free marketing OTC (over the counter) he engaged to CEDIS Pfizer Consumer Products, CEDIS of Dromayor and a wholesale pharmacy located in the City. Bogota. Then the process:
|
Step |
Implemented processes and key players Description |
Role |
|
1 |
Product data synchronization through the global network GS1 (GDSN) | Pfizer |
|
2 |
Loading paper on dispatch of goods in online traceability system | Pfizer |
|
3 |
Receipt of product and report generation integrated traceability system to confirm receipt and print the receipt document | Dromayor |
|
4 |
Printing GS1 DataMatrix and placing them in products | Dromayor |
|
5 |
Integration of information on product serial ERP system Dromayor | Dromayor |
|
6 |
Process picking using automatic data capture through scanning GS1 DataMatrix codes | Dromayor |
|
7 |
Preparation of loading and updating the traceability system. | Dromayor |
|
8 |
Confirmation of receipt of merchandise to read GS1 DataMatrix and updating the traceability system | Pharmacy |
In conclusion we can say that the process has shown that the serialization of pharmaceutical products helps substantially to have visibility into the supply chain, ideally looking for the original identification process starts from the manufacturer, to avoid ruptures along the flow (GS1, 2012, 2).
Key points identified in implementations
- Integration of multiple actors (internal and external).
- Regulation as a catalyst for the process.
- Work focused on different areas, focusing on drivers and then go to larger projects.
- GS1 Traceability and use code DataMatrix as a core process.
- Identification of problem targeted attack, which yielded clear returns on investment.
- Standards and technology as enabling tools for administrative efficiency and patient safety.
- Gradual integration into internal systems and business processes to start.
- Constant training of all areas involved.
- Coordination by a neutral body: GS1.
Sources of interest
- Alatorre, A. (16 January 2013). Health unify betting services. Reform, p. 3.
- GS1 (2012). GS1 Annual Report 2011 – 2012. Brussels: GS1. Retrieved fromwww.gs1.org/services/publications/online
- GS1 (2012). GS1 Healthcare Reference Book 2012/2013. Brussels: GS1
- OECD (2012). Getting it right: a strategic agenda for reforms in Mexico. Mexico City: OECD. Retrieved fromwww.oecd.org/centrodemexico/Getting It Right EBOOK.pdf
If your organization is interested in participating in a pilot or implementation in Healthcare please contact Carlos Ramos, Manager of Research and Innovation in GS1 Mexico (cramos@gs1mexico.org).