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Technology Cost, Unclear ROI Seen Top Roadblocks to Pharma Adoption of RFID
Lack of item-level frequency standard rounds out top three reasons cited for slow adoption of technology by life sciences companies in Health Industry Insights survey
Framingham, MA — April 18, 2007 — Technology cost and lack of demonstrated return on investment (ROI) are the top roadblocks contributing to slow adoption of radio frequency identification (RFID) solutions in the pharmaceutical industry, according to new industry survey by market research firm Health Industry Insights.
The survey of 143 life sciences industry leaders by Health Industry Insights, an IDC company, aimed to identify the top factors contributing to pharmaceutical industry's slow adoption of RFID.
In addition to costs and unclear ROI, the lack of an item-level frequency standard rounded out the top three reasons for slow adoption cited in the survey. Other reasons cited by respondents, in order of importance, included security/privacy concerns, lack of pressure from Federal Drug Administration and unreliable read rates (i.e., the percentage of RFID tags, or microchips attached to an antenna, that can be accurately read within a certain period of time).
Freeze on Project Funding
"While many pharmaceutical companies are eager to begin their RFID pilot work, we're seeing a freeze on project funding until an item-level frequency standard is established," said Eric Newmark, senior research analyst at Health Industry Insights. "Evaluations are being hindered by corporate fear of investing in the wrong infrastructure. It is unfortunate that patient and consumer safety is being delayed due to something this trivial."
The report goes on to spotlight the slower-than-expected RFID adoption with additional survey findings. Results reveal fewer than one in five (16 percent) pharmaceutical companies are currently evaluating the benefits of RFID technology, and even fewer (15 percent) companies are adopting RFID in some capacity.
Overall, the report indicates average life science company spend on RFID technology is approximately $25,000, although this level is expected to triple to $75,000 over the next 12 months.
Three to Six Sigma Performance
Additionally, the report discusses read rate results from commercial RFID pilots in the pharmaceutical industry. The report reveals that initiatives utilizing high-frequency (HF) technology for item-level tagging are achieving better read rates than those using ultra-high frequency (UHF).
The survey of 143 life sciences industry leaders by Health Industry Insights, an IDC company, aimed to identify the top factors contributing to pharmaceutical industry's slow adoption of RFID.
In addition to costs and unclear ROI, the lack of an item-level frequency standard rounded out the top three reasons for slow adoption cited in the survey. Other reasons cited by respondents, in order of importance, included security/privacy concerns, lack of pressure from Federal Drug Administration and unreliable read rates (i.e., the percentage of RFID tags, or microchips attached to an antenna, that can be accurately read within a certain period of time).
Freeze on Project Funding
"While many pharmaceutical companies are eager to begin their RFID pilot work, we're seeing a freeze on project funding until an item-level frequency standard is established," said Eric Newmark, senior research analyst at Health Industry Insights. "Evaluations are being hindered by corporate fear of investing in the wrong infrastructure. It is unfortunate that patient and consumer safety is being delayed due to something this trivial."
The report goes on to spotlight the slower-than-expected RFID adoption with additional survey findings. Results reveal fewer than one in five (16 percent) pharmaceutical companies are currently evaluating the benefits of RFID technology, and even fewer (15 percent) companies are adopting RFID in some capacity.
Overall, the report indicates average life science company spend on RFID technology is approximately $25,000, although this level is expected to triple to $75,000 over the next 12 months.
Three to Six Sigma Performance
Additionally, the report discusses read rate results from commercial RFID pilots in the pharmaceutical industry. The report reveals that initiatives utilizing high-frequency (HF) technology for item-level tagging are achieving better read rates than those using ultra-high frequency (UHF).
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