Reviewing the Drivers and Challenges in RFID Implementation in the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

Counterfeiting is a global phenomenon that poses a serious financial threat to the pharmaceutical industry and more importantly jeopardizes public safety and security. Different measures, including new laws and regulations, have been put in place to mitigate the threat and tighten control in the pharmaceuticals supply chain. However, it appears that the most promising countermeasure is track-and-trace technology such as electronic-pedigree (E-pedigree) with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. In this study we present a framework exploring the antecedents and consequences of RFID applications in the pharmaceutical supply chain. The framework proposes that counterfeiting and E-pedigree regulation will drive the implementation of RFID in the pharmaceutical supply chain, which in turn provides strategic and operational benefits that enable competitive advantage. Meanwhile, the implementation of RFID requires overcoming many operational, technical and financial challenges. The framework provides a springboard that future study can explore using empirical data

Perceptions of Intellectual Property:A Review

In “The right to good ideas: patents and the poor”, The Economist depicts two driving forces in the contemporary discourse on IP and globalization. The one is interested in advancing the knowledge economy, an approach based on the belief that knowledge is the driving factor behind economic growth. The other resides on a belief that IP is a major means to advance the process of globalization. While the former is strongly motivated by new economic growth theory, as for example advanced by Stanford professor Paul Romer, the latter is based on typical anti-globalization arguments, such as for example the position that the IP system helps multinational companies to build up monopolies to the detriment of the poor, drives small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and local business in developing countries out of business and increases prices for consumer products, be they pharmaceuticals or software. The purpose of this review is to help understand the current discourse on intellectual property, to grasp underlying themes, assumptions and connotations associated with the term “IP”, so as to identify paths leading to a more comprehensive understanding of IP and the opportunities and pitfalls it may provide

Digital Preservation, Archival Science and Methodological Foundations for Digital Libraries

Digital libraries, whether commercial, public or personal, lie at the heart of the information society. Yet, research into their long‐term viability and the meaningful accessibility of their contents remains in its infancy. In general, as we have pointed out elsewhere, ‘after more than twenty years of research in digital curation and preservation the actual theories, methods and technologies that can either foster or ensure digital longevity remain startlingly limited.’ Research led by DigitalPreservationEurope (DPE) and the Digital Preservation Cluster of DELOS has allowed us to refine the key research challenges – theoretical, methodological and technological – that need attention by researchers in digital libraries during the coming five to ten years, if we are to ensure that the materials held in our emerging digital libraries are to remain sustainable, authentic, accessible and understandable over time. Building on this work and taking the theoretical framework of archival science as bedrock, this paper investigates digital preservation and its foundational role if digital libraries are to have long‐term viability at the centre of the global information society.

Developing a national strategy for combating counterfeit medicines

Background Counterfeit medicines pose a worldwide problem to governments, pharmaceutical companies and patients, meaning a systemic and comprehensive approach needs to be adopted by medicines regulatory agencies. The UK’s Medicines and Health Regulatory Agency (MHRA) was one of the first national agencies to develop and implement a strategy to combat counterfeit medicines. Exploring this experience from different perspectives provides an opportunity to build knowledge and inform others considering adopting a similar approach. Aims The aim of this research is to describe and investigate the key components in developing an anti-counterfeit medicines strategy in the UK; through describing and examining agency and stakeholder views on its development, implementation and evaluation and the roles of pharmacists and GPs within this. Methods A mixed method qualitative and quantitative research design was used which comprised four separate studies. Two semi-structured interview studies of MHRA and stakeholders participants were undertaken alongside two postal survey studies of community pharmacists and GPs. Findings The significant risk to patients resulting from counterfeit medicines underpinned the decision to develop and implement a national strategy. Stakeholders have an important role in the development of the strategy and in its implementation by securing the supply chain, sharing information, educating others, being vigilant and reporting suspicions. Pharmacists and GPs reported limited experience of counterfeit medicines. Whilst GPs reported receiving no related education or training, pharmacists frequently reported supply practices which did not align with current guidance. Conclusion There was agreement that in order to effectively combat counterfeit medicines a national strategy was required. Stakeholders from the pharmaceutical industry, regulatory bodies, medical and pharmacy professions were seen to have an important role in both its drafting and implementation. Pharmacists and GPs mainly believed that they had a role in combating counterfeit medicines however it was identified that they required better underpinning education and training. The research findings provide a framework of evidence-based guidance for developing an anti-counterfeit medicines strategy

Assessment of Consumers’ Awareness and Exposure Levels to NAFDAC Media Campaign in South East Nigeria

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is a Nigerian Agency charged with the responsibility of quality control in the production and consumption of food and medication drugs. NAFDAC has initiated and is carrying out media campaign against counterfeit (fake) and substandard medication drugs and food. NAFDAC media campaign is targeted at correcting consumers’ attitudes and behaviours towards the purchase and consumption of these products. In spite of this long standing campaign, the existence of fake and substandard products is still high in the market with their inherent dangers. Apparently, their purchase and consumption are still high among consumers in the country. This study is to assess the consumers’ awareness and exposure levels to NAFDAC media campaign as the probable causes of the continued persistence of this ugly situation. The study was designed as a survey and interview schedule served as the measuring instrument. For the data analysis, Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used. The study showed that consumers were quite aware and exposed to the different NAFDAC media campaign messages mainly through radio and television. Based on the findings, the researcher recommends that the Agency intensifies its campaign messages and surveillance to detect and close illegal drug markets in Nigeria and ensure that only the genuine drugs are sold at a cheaper rate to really prevent consumers from patronizing fakers consciously or unconsciously. Commensurate penal sanctions should also be meted on offenders as stipulated in the drug law to serve as a deterrent to others. Also, unlicensed drug vendors, should be licensed, trained and monitored to really force them to adhere to basic pharmacy code of conduct. Keywords: Media Campaign, Awareness, Assessment, Consumers DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/10-4-04 Publication date: February 29th 2020

Between collaboration and competition. Global public-private partnerships against intellectual property crimes

This paper explores the issue area of global public-private partnerships (PPPs) against intellectual property (IP) crimes. It is based on preliminary findings from a PhD research project that included interviews with more than 30 participants of such PPPs from different countries around the world. Key factors that influence the formation, maintenance, termination, and reform of such partnerships are identified by comparing more and less successful PPPs over a period of time. First, the paper introduces the topic of IP crime, also known as counterfeiting and piracy. The paper then proposes a typology of different PPPs, as the term is used in very different ways in the literature. In the subsequent sections of the paper, empirical examples of global PPPs against IP crimes are analyzed, whose secretariats are hosted by three public international organizations: Interpol, the World Customs Organization (WCO), and the World Health Organization (WHO). By comparing the different paths of these three international organizations and their PPPs, five key factors are identified that influence the formation, maintenance, termination, and reform of such PPPs: (1) common ground, (2) absolute and/or relative gains of resources, (3) the management of the PPP and its discretion, (4) the representation of stakeholders, and (5) the policy pursued by the PPP. -- Dieses Arbeitspapier untersucht das Themenfeld der globalen Öffentlich-Privaten Partnerschaften (ÖPPs) gegen Produktpiraterie. Es basiert auf vorläufigen Erkenntnissen aus der Forschung für eine Doktorarbeit, für die Experteninterviews mit mehr als 30 Teilnehmern solcher ÖPPs in unterschiedlichen Ländern der Welt durchgeführt wurden. Durch den Vergleich unterschiedlich erfolgreicher ÖPPs über einen längeren Zeitraum wurden Schlüsselfaktoren identifiziert, welche die Gründung, Erhaltung, Beendung und Reform von solchen ÖPPs beeinflussen. Zunächst führt das Arbeitspapier in die Materie Produktpiraterie ein. Dann wird eine Typologie von ÖPPs vorgestellt, welche notwendig ist, weil der Begriff sehr unterschiedlich in der Literatur verwendet wird. In den anschließenden drei Sektionen des Arbeitspapiers werden drei empirische Beispiele von globalen ÖPPs untersucht, die bei drei verschiedenen Internationalen Organisationen angesiedelt sind. Dies sind Interpol, die Weltzollorganisation und die Weltgesundheitsorganisation. Durch den Vergleich der unterschiedlichen Entwicklungen, die diese Internationalen Organisationen und ihre ÖPPs gemacht haben, werden fünf Schlüsselfaktoren identifiziert, welche die Gründung, Erhaltung, Beendung und Reform dieser ÖPPs beeinflussen: (1.) eine gemeinsame Bezugsebene, (2.) das Streben nach absoluten und/oder relativen Gewinnen, (3.) das Management der ÖPP und ihr Handlungsspielraum, (4.) die Repräsentation der Interessengruppen in der ÖPP und (5.) die Politik, welche von der ÖPP verfolgt wird.

Social Media’s impact on Intellectual Property Rights

This is a draft chapter. The final version is available in Handbook of Research on Counterfeiting and Illicit Trade, edited by Peggy E. Chaudhry, published in 2017 by Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd, https://doi.org/10.4337/9781785366451. This material is for private use only, and cannot be used for any other purpose without further permission of the publisher.Peer reviewe

Annual report 2007

Zweitveröffentlichun