Today, anti-counterfeiting, product safety and supply chain monitoring are of great importance in the pharmaceutical industry. In this respect, the Pharmaceutical Tracking System (ITS), introduced by the Ministry of Health in Turkey, is an important system that enables the tracking of medicines from the production stage until they reach the end user. For this system to work effectively, accurate and reliable coding solutions are needed.
What is ITS and Why is it Important?
ITS is a system that monitors the production, distribution and consumption of medicines. Thanks to this system:
- Counterfeit medicines are fought,
- Recall processes are streamlined,
- Supply chain security is ensured,
- Patient safety is improved.
ITS operates through the use of a 2D QR code that contains information such as the GTIN (Global Trade Item Number), serial number, expiry date and batch number, which are specifically defined on the box of each medicine. This information is made traceable by the competent authorities.
Coding Solutions for ITS
Pharmaceutical companies are required to use advanced coding solutions to comply with ITS. Here are the most commonly used coding technologies:
1. Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) Coding
Thermal inkjet printers are frequently preferred in the pharmaceutical industry for their low maintenance, high print quality and easy integration advantages. They are especially ideal for printing high-resolution QR codes on cardboard boxes.
Advantages:
- Provides sharp and legible prints,
- Environmentally friendly water-based inks can be used,
- Works efficiently in fast production lines.
2. Laser Marking
Laser coding systems offer durable and permanent coding without the need for chemical consumption. It is especially used for permanent coding on plastic, glass and metal surfaces.
Advantages:
- It is an environmentally friendly solution as it does not use ink,
- Permanent and erasure-resistant coding,
- Low maintenance requirements.
3. CIJ (Continuous Inkjet) Technology
Continuous inkjet (CIJ) technology is ideal for high-speed production lines. It is widely used in small character coding and offers effective solutions for pharmaceutical packaging.
Advantages:
- Works efficiently in high speed production lines,
- It can print on different surfaces,
- Produces durable and high quality prints.
Things to Consider When Choosing ITS Coding Solutions
When choosing coding solutions for ITS, pharmaceutical manufacturers should consider the following factors:
- Legal Compliance: The coding system used must comply with ITS requirements.
- Print Quality: QR codes must have high readability.
- Production Speed: High capacity production lines should not experience delays.
- Ease of Integration: The coding system needs to be easily integrated into the existing production line.
- Cost and Maintenance: Economic and low maintenance solutions should be preferred in the long term.
The Drug Tracking System (ITS) is a critical system for drug safety and fraud prevention. Pharmaceutical manufacturers must select and integrate appropriate coding technologies into their production processes to ensure full compliance with ITS requirements. Thermal inkjet, laser marking and CIJ technologies offer ideal coding solutions for different production needs. The right choice will help pharmaceutical manufacturers achieve regulatory compliance and increase operational efficiency.
