Advances in Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety

Abstract

RFID: Chromogenic Polymer Opal Film with Seal Could be Adopted as a Sensitive and Effective Technology to Fight against Counterfeit Drugs

Tejpreet Chadha and Ralph Ferguson

Counterfeit drugs have emerged as a global problem. Though, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology increased security of the supply chain for drugs and consumer goods, prohibitive cost limited wide-spread acceptance globally by pharmaceutical companies. The approach to use chromogenic material with polymer opal films can be adopted as a low cost sensitive and effective tool to reduce counterfeit drugs. The color change response with the seal on the package provides a visual warning that can be detected by consumers or government regulatory personnel through observation. The packaging includes a film that would play an important role to enhance security and communicate with consumers through color change. As another tool in the arsenal to curtail counterfeit drug production and sale, chromogenic polymer opal film deserves attention by manufacturers as well as government procurement agencies.