ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the use of information technology (IT) which focuses on product identification provided by two technology groups: product bar-coding and mass serialisation through Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and more complex symbologies. It presents the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) inherent in the adoption of mass serialisation technologies. Mass serialisation technologies can be used for both patient protection and for promoting efficiency in the supply chain, particularly with respect to the reverse supply chain. Product coding systems provide a way to combat threats to patients arising from error. Tagging can be used to prevent dispensing errors and administration errors: codes on packs and on patients, along with patient record systems, can be used to cross-check that the right drug is given to the right patient. Similarly, a lookup authentication for a pharmaceutical product at the time of dispensing or administration will confirm that it is authentic, not subject to recall and within its shelf life.
