PMMI Past Chairman Glenn Siegele, President of PMMI member Omega Design Corporation, provided a solid packaging line perspective on serialization for pharmaceutical operations this week in Washington, DC.  Speaking on a panel of business leaders organized by the Pew Health Group, Siegele outlined what is happening now on production lines that have implemented serialization.  With more than 50 US House and Senate staff, press, and other industry association representatives overflowing a conference room, the panel emphasized that serialization is being successfully utilized in pharma production operations globally.  One of the critical points raised by Omega’s Siegele and reinforced by other panelists is that adding a serialized number by itself is not the answer.  It is critical to then confirm the parent/child link between each unit of sale (one bottle or one vial) and the aggregated bundle of the units up through the case and perhaps pallet level to ensure supply chain visibility and efficiency.  Further, the serialized data needs to be available in an electronic format, that is updated upon every change of ownership in order for the pharmacist or doctor’s office to verify the product’s heritage at the point of delivery to the patient.

Commented Siegele  “I appreciate this opportunity to provide a perspective for other professional groups of the importance of this data aggregation and the ability of PMMI member companies to provide those portions of the solution on the production line.”

This year at PACK EXPO 2012 over 400 exhibitors will offer various pharma/medical device solutions with over 50 exhibitors specifically offering serialization solutions.  Check out packexpo.com for more information.