Track and Trace an Expensive Proposition for Retail Drug Stores

The Coalition of Community Pharmacy Action, which is a group formed by the National Community Pharmacists Association and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, released a study on June 18th that examined the safety of the prescription drug supply chain and the potential effects of the implementation of a federally mandated track and trace system to protect consumers from counterfeit medications.

Of note, the CCPA estimated in its study that it would cost drug store chains $84,000to $110,000 or more per store in the first year to implement a track and trace system. The cost estimate was based on costs of computer hardware, software, infrastructure, labor and other resources.

Not included in the study was the cost to the other members of the pharmaceutical supply chain; manufacturers and distributors to implement this process. All members of the pharmaceutical supply chain must be involved in the process to make the track and trace process a useful tool in protecting medications.

This is why it important to include an authentication technology either in conjunction with or in lieu of track and trace. An authentication technology, EDXRD verifies the content and make up of the contents of the medication and does not rely on tracking the various stops along the supply chain.