Rise in counterfeit drugs demonstrates need for automated checks to guarantee product authentication
Electronic pedigree could spot fake drugs at point of dispensing

LONDON – 19 September, 2007 - GS1 UK,the independent supply chain data standards body, today commented on the threat posed by the $10 billion drugs black market, as a counterfeit version of Pfizer’s Viagra infiltrated the global supply chain. The perpetrators have finally been brought to justice, but GS1 UK suggests that the drugs market will continue to be in jeopardy until further checks are put in place.

Data carrying systems, such as bar codes and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), are effective authentication tools. They can provide a key to unique information, such as what the medication should be, the manufacturer, the batch number and the expiry date. If the information returned is not a match for the product about to be dispensed, then the pharmacist can be alerted to a potential issue. The GS1 System data structure, a unique, globally recognised standard, acts as an ‘electronic pedigree’ enabling the timely and accurate tracing and removal of suspect medication from the supply chain.

“We are working closely with pharmaceutical manufacturers through our UK Healthcare User Group and the Department of Health to encourage the use of our globally recognised unique identification system in a bid to reduce the threat posed to consumers by counterfeit medication,” said Roger Lamb, Business Manager – Healthcare, GS1 UK. “Having a simple system in place to ensure that the packaging and labelling of a product is genuine is a great step towards validating the authenticity of medication, but importantly it allows manufacturers to respond quickly in the event that a product needs to be recalled.”

GS1 recently launched the ‘Scan and Save’ initiative, supported by the Department of Health, to encourage the NHS to adopt its unique identifiers and currently has more than 40 hospitals on board. In addition, a European project funded by the EU and led by GS1 is currently running a series of pilots on the role that RFID has to play in guaranteeing medication authenticity.

About GS1 UK
GS1 UK has driven innovation in the supply chain for over thirty years. It is part of the global GS1 organisation, dedicated to the development and implementation of global data standards and solutions for the supply chain.  GS1 standards are the most widely used in the world. 

GS1 UK aims to make it faster, more cost effective and safer for our members to serve their customers through the industry wide adoption of global GS1 standards and locally delivered services.  GS1 UK helps industry to implement these data standards through the use of bar codes, RFID, Global Data Synchronisation (GDS) and electronic business messaging.

For more information contact:

Lisa Henshaw or Kirsty Sewter
Fourth Day PR
+44 (0)20 7403 4411

Suraya Adnan-Ariffin
GS1 UK
+44 (0)20 7092 3575

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