The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) and IBM Consulting have come together to develop Pulse by NABP, a digital platform aimed at enhancing visibility and security within the drug supply chain. This collaboration is set to revolutionize the way pharmaceuticals are traced and monitored, ensuring patient safety and combating the growing menace of counterfeit and substandard prescription medications.
The Pulse platform will serve as a comprehensive tool, connecting manufacturers, wholesalers, pharmacies, and regulators within the drug supply chain. Its primary objective is to identify and combat the circulation of counterfeit and substandard drugs, while also providing authorized stakeholders with the capability to accurately track prescription medications as they move through the supply chain. This way, patients can have increased confidence that the medications they receive are genuine and of high quality.
One of the most significant benefits of Pulse is its potential to enhance patient safety. As the drug supply chain becomes increasingly complex, the risk of falsified, substandard, and counterfeit drugs seeping into the market has grown. Additionally, the platform aims to tackle issues related to “grey market” companies, providing a comprehensive solution to safeguarding patients’ well-being.
Furthermore, the development of Pulse is seen as a crucial step in meeting the requirements of the United States Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA). With its full implementation scheduled for November 2023, there is an urgent industry need for compliance, and Pulse is positioned as a vital piece of the puzzle to achieve this goal.
During workshops and pilot programs conducted with stakeholders across the supply chain, NABP and IBM Consulting identified key gaps in interoperability. Pulse is designed to bridge these gaps by serving as a single, voluntary directory for trading partners. By operating as an independent platform, authorized trading partners will gain access to advanced product tracing tools, enabling them to verify the legitimacy of trace requests and communicate efficiently based on their individual needs.
NABP Executive Director/Secretary Lemrey “Al” Carter expressed his confidence in the collaboration with IBM Consulting, emphasizing their expertise in business and product strategy, technology, and industry knowledge. Their combined efforts are set to deliver a secure, user-friendly platform that seamlessly integrates with participating organizations’ IT architectures.
The unveiling of Pulse by NABP is eagerly awaited by stakeholders within the pharmaceutical industry and is poised to make a significant impact on patient safety, drug supply chain security, and regulatory compliance. With its launch on the horizon, the future of drug traceability and counterfeit prevention looks promising, promising a safer and more reliable healthcare ecosystem for patients across the nation.
