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An auto-ID based approach to reduce counterfeiting in the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain

Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 81-82). / This thesis will discuss a new approach to preventing the adulteration of prescription medicines in America. The primary thrust of the solution is based on research conducted at MIT's Auto-ID Center on radio frequency technology. The United States faces a growing threat to patient health due to the increasing rate of counterfeit medicine being introduced into the legal pharmaceutical supply chain. This has long been an unresolved global problem, but only recently has it become a major threat in America. Existing legal and technical efforts to control counterfeiting are no longer sufficient to contain the problem. The threat of counterfeits can be partially ameliorated by installing RF-capable electronic tags onto medical packaging, and creating a unique electronic product code (EPC). RF tags though, are not the only component of the required solution. New legal actions, better use of existing technical countermeasures, and industry cooperation are also required. This thesis will outline in more detail the interplay of each of these components in developing a robust solution to the problem of counterfeit medicines. / by Indy Chakrabarti. / M.Eng.in Logistics

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:MIT/oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/28568
Date January 2003
CreatorsChakrabarti, Indy, 1975-
ContributorsJames Masters., Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division., Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division.
PublisherMassachusetts Institute of Technology
Source SetsM.I.T. Theses and Dissertation
Languageen_US
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Format82 p., 4336546 bytes, 4345316 bytes, application/pdf, application/pdf, application/pdf
RightsM.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission., http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

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