IBM Develops Technology to Track Drug Movement

Global computer manufacturer, IBM has developed a technology to
enable drug distributors, manufacturers and retailers prevent counterfeit drugs
from entering the market. The product works using an existing technology: radio
frequency identification devices (RFID) that each have a unique ID transmitted
via tiny radio antennas incorporated into a drug's packaging. Elaborating on
the technology behind the RFID, Kelly Sims, part of IBM media relations team
says "WebSphere RFID Information Center is an EPC Information Service (EPCIS)
and a high performance data repository that can manage the heightening volumes
of RFID and sensor data at the same time also provides real time data exchange
between trading partners". This is the third layer of RFID software
provided by IBM in addition to its RFID device infrastructure and RFID premises
server.

Computer receivers pick up the data at various transit points in
the drug distribution channel thereby making it easy to track a package's
location and also update inventory records. The company's new technology
provides a framework which allows retailers and distributors to communicate with
manufacturers over secure networks, allowing them to confirm that each package
is authentic and not a counterfeit that somehow made its way into the supply
chain.

The US-based company is already working with two of the largest
drug distributors in the US (Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen), as well as
one of the world's largest drug manufacturers, says Sims. It is also in talks
with other companies to sell this technology to secure the supply chain.