Product/Service

Pharmaceutical Serialization Coding And Marking Equipment: Drug Quality And Security Act

Source: Domino North America

In November of 2013, the Federal government in the United States passed the Drug Quality and Security Act (DQSA) to create a national pharmaceutical serialization and track & trace regulation. This mandates serialized coding on primary and secondary pharmaceutical packaging beginning in 2017, and supersedes all state mandates (including California e-pedigree). Global traceability initiatives, such as the DQSA, are designed to hinder the production and distribution of life-threatening imitation or counterfeit pharmaceuticals. These initiatives can require identification and authenticity features on primary, secondary and tertiary packaging levels typically in the form of unique, non-predictive, serialized and machine readable codes. This level of product identification aims to impair the ability of counterfeiters to successfully replicate pharmaceutical products and packaging.

In addition to public health benefits, serialization provides near real-time opportunity to view and analyzes product movement data to capture business value, enhance revenue and increase ROI. Selecting valuable, trusted partners is a primary objective for pharmaceutical companies in 2014 as they prepare for the challenges that will come with serialization. Now is not the time to be experimenting…the planning required for 2017 starts now. Put your trust in the experts. Domino brings 37 years of experience for coding compliance.

Why Domino? 
Domino has extensive experience in developing and manufacturing legislative compliant coding solutions for the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. Recognising the challenge to manufacturers in complying with emerging global legislation Domino employs dedicated legal, validation and global standards specialist. Technology meets the demanding requirements of high speed serialisation lines whilst ensuring code quality, high OEE and maximum uptime.

Suggested products? 
The following coding and marking technologies are optimal for printing 1D linear barcodes in accordance with the requirements of the SFDA as well as a variety of other code and text formats for secondary and tertiary requirements.

Thermal ink jet 
Main benefits 

  • Specially developed sector inks ensure excellent dry time, contrast and colour-fastness from manufacture to point of dispensation
  • i-Tech components combine to create a flexible, reliable system, including reduced ink wastage through unnecessary cartridge changeover
  • Capable of high speed serialisation at item level 
  • More information here on Domino’s range of thermal ink jet technology 
  • More information here on Domino’s range of high performance inks 

Laser 
Main benefits 

  • The fastest laser available which will meet virtually all sector coding requirements on labels and cartons 
  • Easy integration into existing lines or Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s) equipment 
  • Capable of very high speed serialisation at item level 
  • More information here on Domino’s range of laser technology  

Thermal transfer overlay 
Main benefits  

  • Market leading performance for high speed serialised label and flexible package printing 
  • Comprehensive software suite for simple integration with existing technology 
  • i-Tech Ribbon Drive reduces ribbon use by up to 60%

Print and Apply Labelling
Main benefits 

  • Premium label and pallet label printing with GS1 coding capability ensuring supply chain compliance 
  • Compact design for easy integration into virtually all OEM equipment 
  • Simple label and ribbon paths ensures quick reliable supply change