RFID in the pharmaceutical industry and hospital operations
As an auto-ID technology in the pharmaceutical industry, RFID has made a significant contribution to patient safety. The serialized identification of each individual medication package enables seamless traceability within the supply chain. RFID labels store information on the pharmaceutical central number (PZN), the batch, manufacturing date and expiry date. They are regarded as reliable protection against plagiarism and fulfill the legal obligation to provide evidence.
Metal blisters, liquids, cooling – no longer a problem
Even the most demanding applications, which would have been unthinkable some time ago due to physical limitations, can be realized today. For example, identification on the primary packaging of metal blisters, liquids or even contactless bulk readings in the tightest of spaces in a metallic environment, such as in a cold room. This opens up additional possibilities for pharmaceutical manufacturing companies. For example, in material track & trace in research laboratories. The further development of RFID transponders for difficult surfaces and the reading quality of these transponders is also expanding the field of application in the hospital environment. The secure identification of blood reserves, medicines, surgical instruments and implants, as well as the predictive maintenance of diagnostic devices, are just a few examples. Digital evolution through the Internet of Things, AI-supported healthcare robotics and the contactless identification of objects using RFID will make medical processes even more efficient and precise. And, above all, support staff in their important work.
RFID is not an
isolated solution in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry
The legal requirements for product safety and hygiene prompted pharmaceutical manufacturers to use RFID-supported technology a long time ago. Often the start only concerned a single process that had to be mapped without errors. For example, temperature monitoring.
“If you track the inventory of chemical consumables in research laboratories, you can significantly reduce material waste.”
If primary packaging already has an RFID label, process optimization is also possible for other areas, ideally for all areas: e.g. inventory management or track & trace between upstream and downstream delivery stages.
RFID – for the benefit of the patient
- Make your medicines tamper-proof
Plagiarism protection: serialize every single package with RFID - Secure the entire product life cycle
Store the PZN, batch number, production and expiry date on the RFID tag - Authenticate medicines along the supply chain
From the laboratory, outgoing goods, wholesaler to the pharmacy - Identify affected batches precisely and quickly
Minimize costs in the event of a recall - Check the temperature of substances
Comply with the legal requirements for the cold chain - Control internal processes with RFID
Ensure quality assurance in laboratories and production - Minimize search times in hospital operations
Save time with asset tracking in diagnostics and care
Application Examples
If each individual sales packaging is provided with a serialized ID number, it can be tracked seamlessly within the supply chain.
RFID transponders on product packaging are a counterfeit-proof feature. The information stored on it serves to protect against counterfeiting. The patient can be sure of receiving an original preparation with the desired active ingredient.
RFID is ideally suited for inventory and is used to quickly locate inventory, e.g. in hospital operations. Mobile medical diagnostic devices can be found quickly using RTLS tracking technology. This saves time, especially in the event of staff shortages. For optimal inventory management, RFID creates 100% real-time transparency of all supplies – from disinfectants to saline solution. RFID also controls access authorization to the hospital pharmacy and increases patient safety here too.
Temperature-sensitive medicines must be monitored during the entire delivery route and also during storage. RFID transponders store the temperature data and issue an alarm if critical values are exceeded. Maintaining the cold chain also serves to ensure patient safety.
Research laboratories require many laboratory chemicals, pipettes, petri dishes, etc. The labeling of laboratory materials with RFID transponders, which are “read and booked” at workstations or stored in laboratory refrigerators, provides the research team with transparency as to where which materials are currently located. Larger containers in particular can be “consumed” by several researchers. Expensive wastage of materials can thus be avoided.
Pharma & Healthcare: Tailor-made Auto-ID & RFID solutions
The RF KonSys strategy for pharma & healthcare
First understand, then act. With our RF KonSYS strategy approach, we look at each customer process individually. We listen to your teams and analyze.
We then validate through proof-of-concept and simulations. Our approach is agile and flexible. When we design and implement your tailor-made RF KonSys solution, your teams will quickly appreciate its benefits in their day-to-day work.
Advantages
- Patient safety
- Real-time inventory management
- Supply chain track-and-trace
- Batch tracing
- Real-time inventory
- Quality assurance
Case Studies | References
