title: Could the Pharmaceutical Industry Benefit from Full-Scale Adoption of Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology with New Regulations?
abstract: Healthcare regulators are directing attention to the pharmaceutical supply chain with the passage of the Drug Quality and Security Act (DQSA) and the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA). Adoption of Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology has the ability to improve compliance, reduce costs, and improve safety in the supply chain but its implementation has been limited; primarily because of hardware and tag costs. The purpose of this research study was to analyze the benefits to the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare system of the adoption of RFID technology as a result of newly implemented supply chain regulations. The methodology was a review following the steps of a systematic review with a total of 96 sources used. With the DSCSA, pharmaceutical companies must track and trace prescription drugs across the supply chain, and RFID can resolve many track-and-trace issues with manufacturer control of data. The practical implication of this study is that pharmaceutical companies must continue to have the potential to increase revenues, decrease associated costs, and increase compliance with new FDA regulations with RFID. Still, challenges related to regulatory statute wording, implementation of two-dimensional barcode technology, and the variety of interfaces within the pharmaceutical supply chain have delayed adoption and its full implementation.
authors.affiliation: Healthcare administration at Marshall University in South Charleston, WV.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coustasse
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy practice at Marshall University School of Pharmacy in Huntington, WV.
authors.forename: Craig A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Kimble
authors.affiliation: Marshall University School of Pharmacy in Huntington, WV.
authors.forename: Robert B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Stanton
authors.affiliation: Healthcare administration program at Marshall University in South Charleston, WV.
authors.forename: Mariah
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Naylor
mesh_terms: D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D001330:Electronic Data Processing; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D061214:Patient Safety; D057233:Radio Frequency Identification Device / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*
keywords: Drug Quality and Security Act; Drug Supply Chain Security Act; RFID; costs; pharmaceuticals; radio-frequency identification