New industry research reveals that 36% of pharmaceutical manufacturers and contract packagers are not currently preparing for global serialization requirements, despite impending deadlines.
The research, conducted by serialization system provider SEA Vision and life science technology firm Zenith Technologies, highlights an urgent need for companies to turn their attention to meeting the demands of the U.S. Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) and the European Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD).
Out of those companies that are not preparing for the new regulations, 51% say it is because they don’t currently have enough internal resource to devote to serialization, while 15% believe it is too early to begin preparations.
Carlos Machado, Serialization Director at SEA Vision US, says, “Our research has confirmed that many companies are under-estimating the enormity of the task at hand. Preparing for serialization is a complex process that is so much more than simply integrating new technology on a packaging line. Instead, it should be a company-wide initiative, involving all corners of an organization and the wider pharmaceutical supply chain.
“Those companies that delay their preparations risk production downtime and loss of business in key markets.”
For 56% of those that have begun their serialization journey, compliance is the only goal of their serialization project at this stage. Just 44% intend to use the process to achieve wider business benefits.
“While serialization presents a number of challenges, it also creates an opportunity to review business processes and improve productivity,” notes Machado. “Those companies that embrace the changes and make preparing for the DSCSA and the FMD a priority have a real opportunity to differentiate their offering, and it is our goal to support this process.”
In 2016,SEA Vision and Zenith Technologies formed a global partnership to support pharmaceutical companies with the impending challenge of installing and integratingserializationacrossdrug manufacturing sites.
