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ACG Inspection: Blockchain-based Brand Protection Platform

Three-pronged systems set combines Blockchain, geo-location identification, and biometrics tracking through IIOT powered by AI for traceability and transparency.

Combines GS1 2D Data Matrix, smart contracts, geolocation identification, and product biometrics tracking.
Combines GS1 2D Data Matrix, smart contracts, geolocation identification, and product biometrics tracking.

ACG Inspection—one of the four businesses of ACG Group, a supplier of end-to-end manufacturing systems for the pharmaceutical industry—has introduced an advanced blockchain-based system that is designed with improved traceability and anti-counterfeiting, meeting the requirements for the pharmaceutical supply chain. The company’s Brand Security Platform combines GS1 2D Data Matrix, smart contracts, geolocation identification, and product biometrics tracking to ensure the whereabouts and contents of packaged medicines are tightly monitored throughout their supply chain journey from manufacturer to end user.

The system is made to provide a seamless transparent experience to all stakeholders along the supply chain, to simplify the overall process through distributed ledger technology and single ownership. It is designed to overcome several longstanding obstacles to advanced traceability, including the challenges of establishing single-owner data sets, and the prevalence of digitally broken supply chains stemming from, among other issues, struggles with GS1 universality, personnel error, and new business models disrupting traditional procedures.

ACG Inspection’s system has three primary components, each of which is designed to be incorporated individually or bundled per customer needs. The customizable products also are made so that they are scalable, amounting to geolocation systems that can provide everything from basic data management to full-scale, supply chain-wide transparency.

·      Blockchain: With Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) and smart contracts, medicines and buyers, sellers, logistics partners and manufacturers are registered to one network, making it unlikely for outsiders to manipulate the supply chain at any point without detection. 

·       Internet of Things (IoT): All participants in the delivery chain can be connected to the network using any GS1-compatible application, such as the ACG Inspection mobile application, the ACG Inspection web platform, or any other application integrated into the ACG Inspection platform. ACG Inspections Geo Location and product biometrics trackers tagged to the products should provide the data required for monitoring the location information and biometrics of the package. 

·       Artificial Intelligence (AI): Participants can be alerted in real-time regarding any temperature breach if the temperature of the medicine/drug rises above or falls below the desired threshold level, Geo-Fencing breach, or any deviation in the route planning, enabling real-time decisions. If the steady stream of data determines unacceptable deviations, the corresponding package is automatically invalidated. 

Combined, these elements should lead to a supply chain setup with improved traceability and transparency, according to the company. Upon obtaining an individual serial number, QR Code or datamatrix for each package, the manufacturer scans the codes to initiate the track & trace process. From that point forward, the system’s trackers are made to continuously monitor and transmit data concerning the package’s temperature, humidity, and location, and any other parameter that is configured. Data also is analyzed to ensure compliance with various domestic and/or international mandates. 

Encompass pharma serialization needs through turnkey compliance with current and pending track & trace mandates in countries across the globe.Encompass pharma serialization needs through turnkey compliance with current and pending track & trace mandates in countries across the globe.Throughout, real-time data should be available to platform users via a dashboard—a unified space for clear and easy access to pertinent information. When the package reaches the end user, the receiving party can validate the drug prior to purchase by scanning its code with a POS scanner. Once the final transaction occurs, relevant data is stored in a digital ledger for reporting or recall purposes.

This system is part of ACGI’s VeriShield suite of services—which, in combination with its QualiShield portfolio, is meant to encompass pharma serialization needs through turnkey compliance with current and pending track & trace mandates in countries across the globe. VeriShield offers serialization and aggregation systems for cartons and bottles at the primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging levels. QualiShield is a complementary, extensive range of high-accuracy camera inspection systems for pharma doses, labels, and cartons to help pharma companies consistently deliver best-possible products.        

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