Pharma working group on track-and-trace holds first meeting

Pharma supply chain security group Rx-360 has set up a work group to explore ways to help companies comply with serialization and track and trace legislation for medicines. 

The Traceability Data Exchange Architecture work group - which held its first meeting last week - is concentrating on developing "conceptual models for the interoperable exchange of information needed to comply with global regulations," according to a press release from the organisation.

The work group says it will develop several models that will be discussed "at a high level and measured for … merits and impact on the supply chain."

The is expected to result in a whitepaper for discussion at industry forums by year end and the options could be considered for global pilots, according to Rx-360. 

"We are gathering the best minds in the industry to tackle a complex unmet need in the interest of enhancing patient safety," said Rx-360 Chairman Brian Johnson.

"We don't achieve interoperable systems without addressing the complexities of data exchange," he added. 

The TDAA workgroup will be tri-chaired by Lloyd Mager (Abbvie), Peggy Staver (Pfizer), and Brian Rezach (Actavis).  A call for participation from all industry segments will be issued shortly.

Rx-360 is also working on a whitepaper to help pharma companies ensure security in the upstream supply chain, such as in the sourcing of pharma ingredients and other starting materials.