How does IT factor into serialization strategies?

Pharmaceutical companies and governments across the world have adapted to reducing counterfeit goods by implementing product serialization. This requires the entire supply chain to have an extensive and thorough system for tracking and tracing the journey of prescription drugs. As this measure is becoming standardized across the globe, various departments are playing more significant and critical roles to ensure the process of serialization runs smoothly.

As the primary objective for any Pharma company remains to produce and deliver safe and effective medication, the shift towards serialization of products and providing visibility in the supply chain has been filled with a wealth of hurdles and challenges. When it comes to serialization, it involves battling counterfeits, track and trace solutions, changing industry and country requirements, managing mass data volumes, keeping track of new technologies and operating systems and processing capabilities.

Often, the key players in successful serialization implementation can be attributed to selected departments. In reality, the serialization process is not possible to succeed through the efforts of only one department or individual. It requires collaboration from multiple sources to adopt, enforce and transform to the standardized requirements.

The IT department in organizations helps in the planning and communication aspect of a strategy. They ensure that any feedback from stakeholders is implemented in the set plans and include inputs regarding compliance, regulatory requirements, engineering, supply chain, packaging, validation, quality, training, and customer support. The kind of support IT provides in organizations is dependent on the size and requirements of the business.

The Information Technology department would need to be up to date with the country-specific deadlines and requirements and also provide solutions as well as help with resources. IT can also affect the manufacturing and internal systems, depending on the project. IT in large-scale organizations plays a substantial supporting role with the following: serialization strategy, implementation, operational and technical details, supply chain and regulatory requirements. For small-scale companies , IT will need to be aware and drive the progress for relevant deadlines and may not just be in charge of the technical specifications, but they may also be spearheading the serialization drives.

To find overall success with serialization strategies, companies need a reliable, comprehensive process with cooperation from multiple sources. It’s vital to factor IT into the serialization strategy and to determine the capacity it will play in business plans.