Lori Bitar appointed chair of Pharma Working Group 

The focus of the Pharma Working Group will be to prepare the pharmaceutical industry for the Drug Supply Chain Security Act which will go into effect in 2023. The Act will require that all stakeholders within the United States supplying and trading in pharmaceuticals, including manufacturers, repackagers, wholesale distributors, and pharmacies, purchase from licensed suppliers and be able to track and trace using appropriate serial number markings and barcodes imprinted on the lot level packaging.  

Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC)) technologies will be used to ensure traceability and allow for the establishment of an interoperable system by the deadline date of November 28, 2023.            

According to AIM, Bitar will seek deeper insight into technological advances impacting the healthcare industry and work with the Pharma Working Group to facilitate the growth of AIDC technologies and standards in the pharmaceutical area.

‘The FDA is imposing this new regulation, but it’s up to all those supplying the industry to develop a reliable system,’ said Bitar. ‘My goal is for the Pharma Working Group to be an input to the FDA in proposing and setting standards around pharmaceutical labeling track and trace as it relates to the Act, and I’m very excited to be working with likeminded industry experts toward this common goal that can impact lives for the better around the globe.’