As mid-2016 passes by, the pharmaceutical packaging world is surrounded by serialization and DSCSA (Drug Supply Chain Security Act) activity. As someone intimately involved in pharmaceutical packaging in practice and teaching, serialization is part of every single day.
At the Healthcare Compliance Packaging Council (HCPC), we try to imagine how DSCSA might support safer packaging for consumers. The opportunities are numerous but for the moment everyone is focused on getting the job done. HCPC does note however, that this effort is mute the second we enter pharmacy and begin the antiquated process of repackaging prescriptions into little amber vials which truly unravels the potentially safe supply chain being sought by DSCSA. As well, the process contributes to poor health outcomes, through lack of reminder packaging, and unsafe products, due to exposure to moisture and oxygen post-pharmacy. (The HCPC study on post-pharmacy exposure is available at hcpconline.org.)