Germans test drug authentication system

An authentication system for pharmacists to check medicinal packs before dispensing is being trialled in Germany. 

The Federal Union of German Associations of Pharmacists (ABDA) will evaluate the impact and benefits of the Aegate system, which already operates in Belgium, Greece and Italy.  

The programme was also shown to, and discussed with, the Bundesverband der Pharmazeutischen Industrie (German Pharmaceutical Association, BPI). 

The service enables the pharmacist to check that packs are in date, not recalled or potentially counterfeit and also provides the latest drug safety information. 

Aegate's system was adapted to work alongside Germany's current reimbursement framework and enables evaluation of 2D data-matrix serialisation technology.  

The trial will last around seven months and includes pharmacies, pharmaceutical manufacturers and wholesalers. 

Many European member states will be installing authentication systems in line with the European Commission's forthcoming directive on counterfeit medicines, which seeks mandatory safety features to identify, authenticate and trace all medicine packs, and is set to happen in 2010.