New Delhi December 5, 2022: The state of Rajasthan along with Uttar Pradesh leads in the country with the highest number of fake medicine incidents in the country followed by Madhya Pradesh.
The Indian Pharma industry is today proactively embracing a host of technologies like Optical Variable Devices (OVDs), security labels, product authentication, track and trace, and other technologies to address the challenge of counterfeiting of pharma products in the country.
As per Authentication Solutions Providers’ Association (ASPA), a Non-Profit organization working to build up the authentication ecosystems and environment in the country against counterfeiting activity, “. Pharma sector witnessed 16% of incidents related to counterfeiting of the overall recorded cases during the year 2020. Uttar Pradesh state witnessed 184 incidents of fake medicines, followed by Rajasthan 72 cases and Madhya Pradesh 49 cases.
ASPA has recommended using a multi-technology approach, including layers of overt, covert, digital, and forensic technologies to address counterfeiting, tampering, and diversion through a strategy of interdiction, authentication, and digital verification. Some of the digital technologies being deployed in the pharma industry, also include coding and serialization which covers components like Barcode and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID).
Track-and-Trace Digital Technologies provide actionable intelligence to brand owners through electronic means so that they can pinpoint unauthorized sellers. This can help to track-and-trace products through the distribution chain. It can also remotely authenticate a product anywhere and anytime by scanning a product label with a smartphone or by entering a code into a web-platform.
According to ASPA the incidents of sub-standard and falsified (SF) drugs and other medical products related to COVID-19 increased by almost 47 percent just within a year – from 2020 to 2021.
Holostik India Limited, one of the largest manufacturers of Security Optically Variable Devices (OVDs) or holograms in the world is all geared up to develop and manufacture new products and generate awareness about the regulatory compliance, and anti-counterfeiting measures.
“Today, we are seeing advances in application, film coating and manufacturing technology that are rolling back the boundaries for the use of a new generation of advanced holograms, facilitating fresh levels of visual effects, brand enhancement, regulatory compliance, and anti-counterfeiting. Holograms have long been adopted by the whole swathes of the global FMCG, healthcare and pharmaceutical industry” said Mr Ankit Gupta Joint Managing Director, Holostik Group.
“Globally counterfeiting is a big problem posing a threat to the economy, businesses, and end consumers. However, holograms are effective weapons in the battle to combat criminals, providing a flexible, quick to deploy visual authentication device that can bolster supply chains and help manufacturers, regulatory authorities, international law enforcement and border customs improve their anti-counterfeiting plans.” Said Mr Gupta.
“The ability of the hologram to provide effective protection lies in its continuous innovation and integration with other technologies to the point where continuous evolution in techniques has succeeded in creating increasingly complex, multi-layered hologram-based devices that are easily recognised yet almost impossible to replicate accurately by criminals.” added Mr Gupta.
“To meet the global demand for anti-counterfeiting solutions the new innovations developed and manufactured by Holostik India will include Nano Optical Image OVDs (Optically Variable Devices) These are the most secure & technologically advanced OVDs or security holograms. The master of these OVDs are shot at a resolution above 6 lakhs dpi. It can include nano text (up to 5 microns), nano images, microstructure and much more.” Mr Gupta said.
“The other products include Optashield based on custom holographic technology, Optashield displays two different colours at two different viewing angles. It is among the most secure & convenient authentication device in the anti-counterfeit industry. 3D Labels (Printed OVDs) embedded with superior aesthetic elements, designs and security features, 3D labels amplify a product’s visibility on the shelf and adds premium appeal to the brand.” He added.
“Holostik will continue to invest a minimum of 5 percent of the annual budget as it did before on research and development, new packaging, and custom supply chain software. Investments will include new digital print machines and authentication technologies. Packaging division infrastructure will also be enhanced for higher production capabilities. We are determined to secure companies, supply chains and human lives from the ill effects of counterfeiting.” He said.
