Pfizer plays tag with Viagra

Stiff test for new RFID application

Iain Thomson

Pfizer has taken a hard line against counterfeiters by adding RFID tags to the packaging of its Viagra tablets.

The tags aim to stiffen up the drug's security and allow wholesalers and pharmacists to check the authenticity of the drug.

Advertisement

However, products will not initially be tracked for the entire length of the supply chain as this would require the RFID technology to be deployed by individual pharmacies.

"The primary goal for adding the technology is to enhance patient safety," said Tom McPhillips, vice president of Pfizer's Trade Group.

"We want pharmacists who fill prescriptions for Pfizer medicines, and patients who use those medicines, to have increased confidence that they are receiving authentic products and not a potentially dangerous fake.

"We are creating additional barriers for criminals who might attempt to counterfeit our products."

Viagra is one of the most popular brands for counterfeiters and Pfizer has been actively improving product security.

Last year the company began a relationship with Microsoft to start suing spammers and websites that advertise fake Viagra. Initial probes resulted in two legal cases.

  • Have your say
  • Send to a friend
  • Print
  • Digg
  • Reddit
  • Share

Tags:

Do you agree?

Related whitepapers

Related jobs

Most watched

Summit: Views From the Valley

V3.co.uk's US office weighs in on the information overload crisis

John Chambers speaks on collaboration

Cisco boss talks up new offerings

Analysis and Reports

Remote access - Three steps to getting connected

3.4 million UK professionals now work from home – is your company equipped?

Cost benefits of a global collaboration network

This white paper is a must read for organisations looking for evidence of the bottom-line benefits of high-definition video and voice communications

Poll

Impact of Information Overload poll

Impact of Information Overload poll

What is the biggest problem your firm faces as a result of the data explosion?

View poll results

Advertisement

White paper library

Keep up to date with the latest products, services and technologies from the world's leading IT companies; IThound.com brings you over 6,000 white papers, case studies and analyst reports.

Advertisement

Newsletter signup

Sign up for our range of FREE newsletters:

Existing User

Newsletter user login:

Enter email address to edit your newsletter preferences

Job of the week

Search thousands of IT jobs :

Search thousands of IT jobs:

Advanced search

Hiring now on ComputingCareers:

Related IT jobs

Search thousands of IT jobs :

Search thousands of IT jobs:

Advanced search

Advertisement

Spotlight

Information management

Summit: Quiz IBM experts on information strategies

Join our live chat session on Thursday at 11am to...

RIM discusses new developer tools

Blackberry exec on the latest offerings for programmers

Houses of parliament

Summit: Doubts raised over Tory plans for NHS records

Experts say data quality could be an issue

Researchers take down spam botnet

Researchers from security firm FireEye have been able to effectively...

Primary Navigation