GB Innomech, a Cambridge, UK automation company, is testing a drug and medical device tracking system that revolves around tagging products using a laser etched dot matrix code. The idea is that anyone with a camera phone will be able to photograph a pill and immediately check whether it is the real deal against an online database which would know which codes have been produced by reputable manufacturers.
The codemark is an unobtrusive two-dimensional dot matrix identifier that is linked to a look-up database. In effect the matrix code acts as a ‘key’ to access much more detailed information, such as the specific batch codes of raw materials used during production, the time of manufacture, the production line and so on. A version of the database could be accessible online for anyone to verify the item is genuine.
The codes can be printed or laser etched onto products, applied to virtually any substrate and can even be added onto the surface of pharmaceutical capsules or coated tablets [as shown in the image right]. Matrix codes can be as small as 2 mm by 2 mm holding the code for up to 10 billion numbers. The codes can be read by widely available readers or in many cases from a picture taken with even the simplest camera phone, making them ideal in the battle against counterfeit medicines.
For example, a doctor in remotest Africa about to dispense a treatment course for malaria could take a picture of the product packaging code, send it by SMS to a centralised online database and within seconds have an auto-response to confirm the validity of the product and be sure he/she is not dispensing an ineffective or even potentially fatal counterfeit product.
Full story from Cambridge Network: Innomech develops powerful ‘track and trace’ technology for healthcare markets…
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