What technological adoption defines the shift to modern track-and-trace systems that assign unique identifiers to every single salable unit?
Answer
Serialization
The fundamental technological transition defining modern track-and-trace systems, especially compared to older logistics methods, is serialization. Serialization is the practice of assigning a unique identifier to every individual salable unit, rather than tracking containers or entire batches collectively. This higher level of granularity allows for precise unit-level traceability, which is crucial in high-stakes sectors like pharmaceuticals where counterfeit verification at the final point of dispensing is necessary. This concept is often enabled by sophisticated codes like 2D data matrix codes which can store the necessary unique information.
Related Questions
What did the Prescription Drug Marketing Act (PDMA) of 1987 primarily require regarding verification of drug sources?What technological adoption defines the shift to modern track-and-trace systems that assign unique identifiers to every single salable unit?What is arguably the true conceptual breakthrough of contemporary track-and-trace systems in their philosophy?Which platform became the designated seed-to-sale tracking system in US jurisdictions that established legal frameworks for regulated cannabis?Which foundational US Act established baseline safety requirements long before specific anti-counterfeiting mandates targeted drug diversion?Which type of data matrix code is often utilized in serialization for holding significantly more data than older linear barcodes?How does the optimization focus for older logistics tracking (shipping containers) differ from modern T&T systems in regulated sectors?Which group is primarily responsible for setting the binding rules and deadlines that generate the market necessity for track-and-trace adoption?Which specific international mandate, enforced by the European Union, drove the implementation of unique product identifiers across Europe for pharmaceuticals?What methodology did pre-serialized supply chain verification typically employ when attempting to trace a contaminated batch back to its origin?