Dublin, Ohio-based Cardinal Health plans to integrate radio frequency identification (RFID) technology into the operations of its Sacramento, Calif. pharmaceutical distribution center by fall of 2007 to prepare for California's recently-passed pedigree legislation.
The California state legislation that requires all drugs distributed within the state to be tracked and traced as they move throughout the supply chain. The state mandates that pharmaceutical manufacturers originate item-level pedigrees for drugs distributed within the state's borders, and also requires companies within the pharmaceutical supply chain to update item-level drug pedigrees upon each change of ownership.
As part of this effort, Cardinal Health will also leverage the new data, made available by RFID to identify efficiency opportunities in key areas including returns and order accuracy, says the company.
