Holograms could be key in fight against fake drugs

Holograms could be a key tool in fighting fake pharmaceuticals, according to a story in European Pharmaceutical Manufacturer.

“The worldwide market for holograms is expected to grow by an estimated 27% over the next five years,” the story said.

It quotes Paul Dunn, chairman of  the International Hologram Manufacturers Association, a nonprofit group, on the value of holography in authenticating packaged products such as pharmaceuticals.

“Digital solutions are a clear and growing addition to authentication solutions,” Dunn said.

As pharmaceutical companies face a growing threat from counterfeit drugs, they are adopting comprehensive approaches that involve protecting physical retail, supply chain and online sales, Dunn added.

“Digital solutions are a clear and growing addition to authentication solutions, sometimes in isolation, but within the holographic industry it’s the combination with packaging track and trace systems among other solutions, that’s seen as the foreseeable future,” he said. "In doing so, the opportunities for holograms to be at the forefront will drive sector growth.”

The story highlights the challenges pharmaceutical companies face in complying with increasing government regulations requiring new safeguards against counterfeit drugs.

“Ensuring integrity of products can be a challenge for many pharmaceutical businesses,” the article said. “There are European and U.S regulations to adhere to as well as additional global regulations. Business models and supply chain operations can differ from one contract manufacturing organization (CMO) to another, adding an extra layer of complexity to the issue of adherence.”

The required changes “have had implications for pharmaceutical manufacturing – financial, as well as organizational,” the story said.

For example, the European Union’s Falsified Medicines Directive requires pharmaceutical companies to place tamper-proof seals on every package and to have a barcode system that sends data back Europe.

“The impact of this on businesses has been immense, requiring a re-think of major elements within an organization – financial, manufacturing operational, IT, regulatory, for example,” the article said.

An industry report, Anti-counterfeiting, Authentication and Verification Technologies, offers "reassurance that the market for packaging authentication technologies will remain strong for the next few years,” according to the International Hologram Manufacturers Association, the story said.