When it comes to dispensed pharmaceuticals, physicians can determine their quality in a couple of different ways: The FDA Orange Book (read more here) and by looking at the source of the pharmaceuticals directly.
Physicians partnering with Northwind receive medications directly from the manufacturer or from a large wholesaler. Physicians can then follow the drug pedigree to ensure the quality.
What is drug pedigree?
A growing trend across the country, the drug pedigree tracks the movement of the pharmaceutical from the manufacturer. The goal of drug pedigrees is to reduce counterfeit products. Not all states require pedigrees, but reputable distributors can supply them when requested. Though pedigree laws are still evolving, they provide another means for validating medications. Effective January 1, 2015, enhanced product tracing requirements begin that, over the course of 10 years, will lead to a single system of electronic traceability throughout the entire supply chain. Currently, states with pedigree laws do not apply requirements equally to all distributors.
What about imported pharmaceuticals?
There are two types of imported pharmaceuticals: legal and illegal. Many reputable drug companies produce pharmaceuticals in foreign facilities. These operations are required to be FDA-licensed and their products must be approved by the FDA in order to be legally imported into the United States. On the other hand, illegal products come through alternate channels and are not cleared through the FDA process.
So how do you know which is which? The drug name, manufacturer and strength must appear in the FDA Orange Book to be verified. Click on the Orange Book Query to check out any proprietary product.
The process of determining the quality of a medication can be time consuming, especially when you’re dealing with multiple medications. Why not partner with a reputable company like Northwind and rest in the knowledge that each medication has already been verified? Contact ustoday to see how our trusted solutions can make in-house dispensing simple.
