Fresenius Kabi’s decision to add radio frequency-identification (RFID) tags to 24 products used in hospital operating rooms will help the company’s hospital pharmacy customers reduce waste, increase efficiencies and facilitate tighter medication inventory control, executives told In Vivo. However, only 10% of US hospitals are currently equipped to scan and process RFID tags, despite larger adoption rates in other industry sectors. COVID-19-related revenue losses may push more hospitals to adopt automated RFID medication management systems to save time and reduce labor costs.

A blockchain application for mobile devices was successfully piloted to conduct real-time tracking of a high-cost drug through the “last mile” of the supply chain to the point of dispensing. Such a tool can be useful for manufacturers in tracing their products through the supply chain and complying with a forthcoming mandate of the US FDA Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA).

Despite some previous uncertainty about sufficient funding commitments from members, the coalition of manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors is operational, with a meeting planned for early next year. It will oversee data governance systems for implementing the US supply chain safety law, a key element of the law's third phase set to go into effect November 2023.