SupplyScape, VeriSign Announce Interoperability of E-pedigree Solutions

Enablers helping define industry standard for communicating pedigree information as pharma industry faces regulatory mandates

Enablers helping define industry standard for communicating pedigree information as pharma industry faces regulatory mandates

Woburn, MA — February 13, 2006 — Solution providers SupplyScape Corporation and VeriSign, both working on the development and deployment of electronic pedigree technologies, have announced pedigree interoperability in advance of an industry-wide standard.

SupplyScape Corporation provides supply chain security software and expertise to safeguard the pharmaceutical supply chain. SupplyScape's products and services, including electronic pedigree and drug serial number authentication, are used by pharmaceutical companies, wholesalers, distributors and pharmacies to help protect the drug supply from counterfeits.

VeriSign operates infrastructure services that enable businesses and individuals to find, connect, secure and transact across complex global networks. The company's Intelligent Supply Chain Services enable information exchange and collaboration among global supply chain participants.

Both organizations are participating in industry efforts to define a standard for communicating pedigree information and anticipate supporting those standards when they are ratified.

Regulatory Deadlines Looming

Members of the pharmaceutical supply chain need interoperability to enable electronic pedigrees in compliance with emerging state regulations. Florida will require that all wholesale trading partners use pedigrees beginning July 1. A similar law comes into effect in California on next January 1. Ten other states have adopted pedigree laws, and another dozen states are considering similar drug safety regulations.

In order to support interoperability, officials from SupplyScape and VeriSign submitted formats to the Pedigree Messaging Work Group of industry consortium EPCglobal in September 2005. The companies collaborated with industry participants toward ratification of an industry standard that is expected this spring. Technical teams from both companies have reviewed and discussed each other's formats and have certified that the core elements exist to process each other's data.

"The work we have done, both in the formal standards processes and directly, ensures pharmaceutical companies, wholesalers and pharmacies that pedigree systems will work seamlessly with suppliers and customers, now and in the future" said SupplyScape President Shabbir Dahod.

The two companies said that they worked together not only to meet pedigree requirements but also to clarify business processes related to pedigree adoption.

"To achieve an intelligent and secure supply chain, our customers must be able to receive electronic pedigrees from their suppliers and transmit pedigrees to their customers," said Jeff Richards, vice president of intelligent supply chain services with VeriSign. "Our collaboration demonstrates our commitment to meet customer requirements for streamlined supply chain systems that are compliant with the state regulations."


Additional Articles of Interest

— With its customers increasingly requiring new levels of connectivity, C&H Sugar deploys a 21st century IT infrastructure. Read more in "B2B Integration Spells Sweet Success," Best Practices article in the December 2005/January 2006 issue of Supply & Demand Chain Executive.

— Leading crafts company Creativity Inc. has found that, with a bit of trust and a lot of teamwork, a little consulting can go a long way in addressing supply chain pain points. Read more in "Crafting Success in Supply Chain Transformation," cover story in the December 2005/January 2006 issue of Supply & Demand Chain Executive.


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