Thermo Fisher Scientific Continues Leadership in Serialization Capacity and Expertise

Thermo Fisher Scientific recently expanded its packaging and serialization capabilities at its facility in Greenville, North Carolina, part of its Patheon global CDMO network. The company has built a new filling and packaging suite and upgraded another of its packaging lines with new technology to improve efficiency and reduce change-over time.

The newly constructed 4,800 square-foot suite came online in Fall 2017 and features a filling and packaging line equipped with an Optel serialization system. The state-of-the-art system includes cameras, pharma proof stations, line master, and bottle and bundle tracker equipment. This addition means that Thermo Fisher now offers 17 operational serialization lines, with plans to activate another 10 by the end of 2018.

“We recognize the importance of serialization to our customers and Thermo Fisher will be ready globally to comply with individual regional or country requirements,” said Chris Howell, Senior Director, Global Engineering and Technology.  “Besides meeting the important compliance requirements, serialization data may also provide insights into commercial channels, giving customers the ability to track distribution and the location of specific packages.  This can provide significant value --  for inventory management, field recalls, sales data and, importantly, to combat counterfeit products.”

With the deadline for complying with the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) in the United States looming there is an uptick in activity and preparation.  The state of serialization readiness varies across regions since countries have different timelines, South Korea and China, like Turkey, have already implemented serialization. Thermo Fisher has implemented serialization globally and will be able to meet the US deadline of November 26, 2018, as well as the EU deadline of February 2019.