Which global regulatory framework, implemented in regions like the European Union, required track-and-trace based on unique product identifiers?
The Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD)
While the DSCSA drove US implementation, global efforts toward serialization and track-and-trace mirror similar regulatory mandates elsewhere, aimed consistently at patient safety. In the European Union, the framework established to address these concerns was the Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD). This directive implemented a sophisticated verification system centered on unique product identifiers affixed to medicines. Although the implementation methods and timelines might differ from those in the US, the FMD shares the core goal of creating an auditable chain of custody for pharmaceuticals to prevent fraudulent products from reaching patients. The comparison between FMD and DSCSA illustrates that while the intent is universal, the method of serialization implementation can vary regionally.
