Aegate patient safety initiative goes live in Greece

UK-based pharmaceutical authentication company Aegate has launched its patient safety initiative in Greek pharmacies.

Pharmacists are provided with real-time relevant product safety information about the specific pack being dispensed, which ensures that patients do not inadvertently receive substandard products.

Already available to 70% of pharmacies in Belgium since the start of 2006 and with early tests started in Italy, Aegate's Europe-wide solution is supported by many professional organisations, the company says.

Aegate's patient safety initiative supports pharmacists and pharmaceutical manufacturers in the authentication of medicines at the point of dispensing via a direct, two-way communications network linking the pharmaceutical manufacturer and the pharmacist.

This network acts as a protective mechanism by providing patient safety messages direct to pharmacists at the time when they are interacting with the product. It also supports pharmacists by providing additional information to aid dispensing decisions, helping them to manage critical issues such as counterfeit medicines, expiry date notification and product recalls.

"In a busy pharmacy, where one pack looks the same as another, it is almost impossible to detect medicines that perhaps are not suitable for dispensing," said Gary Noon, ceo of Aegate. "The Aegate service helps pharmacies to assure themselves and their patients that substandard packs are not being dispensed to patients."