An auto-ID based approach to reduce counterfeiting in the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain
Name
57456391-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
4.14 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
acbbbc7be3a722b8f665b1b1d48839bb
Author(s)
Chakrabarti, Indy, 1975-
Advisor(s)
James Masters.
Date Issued
2003
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
This thesis will discuss a new approach to preventing the adulteration of prescription medicines in America. The primary thrust of the solution is based on research conducted at MIT's Auto-ID Center on radio frequency technology. The United States faces a growing threat to patient health due to the increasing rate of counterfeit medicine being introduced into the legal pharmaceutical supply chain. This has long been an unresolved global problem, but only recently has it become a major threat in America. Existing legal and technical efforts to control counterfeiting are no longer sufficient to contain the problem. The threat of counterfeits can be partially ameliorated by installing RF-capable electronic tags onto medical packaging, and creating a unique electronic product code (EPC). RF tags though, are not the only component of the required solution. New legal actions, better use of existing technical countermeasures, and industry cooperation are also required. This thesis will outline in more detail the interplay of each of these components in developing a robust solution to the problem of counterfeit medicines.
Description
Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2003.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 81-82).
Subjects
Engineering Systems Division.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division
Terms of Use
M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.
Persistent DSpace Link
