FDA Report Calls for the Adoption of RFID

Published: February 20, 2004, By PRESS RELEASE

WARRENDALE, PA, USA—AIM Inc. says it's "[applauding] FDA's leadership in the use of technology to enchance safety." According to AIM, in a report issued earlier this week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) highlighted specific steps the agency is taking to keep the U.S. drug supply secure.

"The report cites Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tagging 'of products by manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers appears to be the most promising approach to reliable product tracking and tracing,' and 'Most importantly, reliable RFID technology will make the copying of medications either extremely difficult or unprofitable.'” The agency goes on to detail a timeline that would lead to mass serialization and RFID adoption by 2007, explains AIM.

“AIM applauds the FDA for its leadership in utilizing technology to combat counterfeit drugs and the dangers they represent to patient safety,” says AIM president Dan Mullen. “The capabilities of RFID and other automatic identification technologies will deliver sweeping benefits for patients and the entire healthcare community," he adds.

AIM reports the FDA foresees commercial development of RFID and its track-and-trace capabilities to be feasible for 2007. "In the meantime," says AIM, "the FDA is working with sponsors and participants of RFID pilots to address regulatory issues."

In response to this report and overall demand for RFID and bar code technology education, AIM reports it's launched several regional conferences to provide clear guidance to the solution-providers and to the healthcare professional.

To learn more about AIM's regional conferences, including The Prescription for Patient Care & Healthcare Profits: The FDA Bar Code Rule and RFID Technology and Tapping the Healthcare Market: The FDA Bar Code Rule & RFID Technology”, visit aimglobal.org/calendar/meetings/04May/focusevent.htm and aimglobal.org/calendar/meetings/04May/channel. For a complete copy of the FDA report, visit fda.gov/oc/initiatives/counterfeit.