Pfizer to launch tamper-evident packaging

Pfizer is to introduce new packaging security measures for its medicines sold in Europe in response to increasing risks posed to the European medicines supply chain from counterfeiting and growing evidence of improper repackaging and poor storage and transportation of parallel imported medicines.

Some 140m medicines are parallel traded every year in the EU and 70% of these are destined for the UK. It is estimated that 90% of UK pharmacists source some products through parallel trade.

Pfizer believes that the security measures can become a key component of anticounterfeiting and packaging integrity efforts in the long-term, and will therefore help to protect patient safety. Among the security measures to be introduced by Pfizer is tamper-evident packaging that will make obvious any attempt to interfere with a medicine before it reaches the patient.

The company believes that efforts to protect the integrity of medicines must include new and enhanced regulations and oversight by regulatory authorities, together with more enforcement efforts, enhanced business practices by all participants in the supply chain and leveraging of new technologies. Heightened diligence and increased accountability by all in the distribution channel and with oversight responsibilities are needed, Pfizer says.

'A recent audit of Pfizer medicines being imported into the UK by parallel traders has uncovered numerous examples of poorly repackaged medicines. We are now convinced that the repacking of medicines by these commercial middlemen adds to the risk of error in the supply chain,' said Julian Mount, European director of trade for Pfizer. 'We are also concerned that the fragmented parallel trade supply chain could be attractive to would-be counterfeiters.'

Examples of inconsistencies found in Pfizer's audit of UK imports included: a different dose of medicine inside the pack from that stated on the outside; a pack containing capsules when the box stating tablets; the expiry date and batch number on the medicine box failing to match those on the medicines inside; and patient information leaflets in the wrong language.

The move has been announced to coincide with the launch of the Social Market Foundation Paper on Parallel Trade in Medicines. 'The SMF's report highlights the need for increased vigilance in the supply of medicines to patients. Patient safety must remain paramount but, unfortunately, there are now a number of factors that suggest that the integrity of medicines could be threatened, and we now need to take steps to protect the patient from potential harm,' Mount stated.

The Social Market Foundation (SMF) is an independent think tank that was established in 1989 to provide a source of innovative economic and social policy ideas.