How are digital tools such as QR codes and Laxxon Medical improving safety and addressing the issue of counterfeit medicine?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), counterfeit medicine makes up over 10% of total medicine sales in low- and middle-income countries and up to 1% in developed countries. When you consider that total medical sales in the United States topped $6 billion in 2022, counterfeit medicine, even in developed countries, is a big business.
In some markets in Asia, Latin America, and Africa, Interpol estimates that counterfeit or falsified medical products make up over 30% of the total market.
In the following study, published in the Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, Laxxon Medical analyzes the effects of their 3D screen printing technology and QR codes on combating the growing counterfeit medicine problem.
The Potential of QR Codes
Quick Response (QR) codes have shown an enormous amount of potential to increase and improve the flow of information between the medical industry, providers, and patients by enabling access to additional safety data, drug interactions, and certificates of authenticity.
Thanks to advancements in 3D screen printing, we now have access to mass customization of medicines and pharmaceuticals down to a single-tablet level.
Not only does the application of 3D screen printing QR codes enable better safety and security, but it also allows for more accurate tracking of medical shipments and allows supply chains to be more accurately monitored.
The Potential Benefits and Applications of QR Codes Improving Medication Safety
Communication in medicine safety is an integral part of the exchange between HCPs, patients, and regulatory authorities. Patients and health care providers (HCPs) are given safety information about medicines via product information typically displayed on packaging, labels, and leaflets included with medication.
However, while this method can display safety information, space limitations reduce the ability to display all information regarding medication interactions, and since the information is pre-printed, there is no way to update it in real time.
QR codes, printed directly to tablets or pills, significantly increase the ability of patients and HCPs to access safe medication, regardless of whether the packaging or original medication has been lost or damaged. They give manufacturers the ability to update information in real-time, online, and provide an additional source for HCP’s and patients to access safety information if the original packaging is lost or damaged.
Increased & More Reliable Patient Monitoring
How patients follow medication guidance is still a significant barrier to them getting the most out of a prescribed treatment. An estimated 50% of patients fail to follow the prescription guidance of the medication they use.
By printing customizable dosage instructions via a QR code to a pill, tablet, or other form of medication, patients and HCPs could, in theory, better monitor and follow the medical instructions of the prescriber.
Combating Potential Counterfeit Medication
Over $200 billion of counterfeit medication and pharmaceutical products flood the global market every year, and that number is only expected to rise unless something is done to combat this problem. The counterfeit medicine issue is only expected to get worse as consumers switch to shopping online in an effort to save money on their prescription medications.
One suggestion to help combat this issue is the addition of QR codes to pharmaceutical product packaging, as well as pills and tablets themselves.
Laxxon Medical is disrupting the current pharmaceutical drug delivery and manufacturing landscape through our innovative, patented SPID®-Technology (Screen Printing Innovational Drug Technology).
QR codes printed to medications would allow consumers to not only scan and verify the authenticity of their medication, but also enable authorities to better track and monitor global shipments of medication.
Counterfeit Medicine and Safety
Screen printing QR codes not only on pharmaceutical packaging but also directly on pills and tablets has a lot of potential to improve the way patients and their healthcare providers interact with prescribed treatments.
However, stringent and diligent monitoring of the information linked to the QR at its source is required to ensure that information stays up-to-date, relevant, and accessible. Patient education around the use of QR codes and scanning technology such as tablets and mobile phones will also need to be increased.
At Laxxon Medical, we have a futuristic approach to overcoming many of the pharmaceutical industry’s issues, including the existing and looming counterfeit medication issues, thanks to our SPID®-Technology (Screen Printing Innovational Drug Technology).
3D printing allows QR codes to be directly printed to individual pills and tablets, allowing patients and HCPs to access more information quickly and efficiently.
Laxxon Medical is dedicated to engineering patented 3D pharmaceutical solutions that optimize products and benefit patients. Our goal is to establish SPID®-Technology as a manufacturing process with the individual and the pharmaceutical partner in mind.
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