By Rob Dewig, Vice President, Healthcare Solutions:
Though the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) deadline has changed, it’s still approaching, and the changes this Act demands are set to transform how drug recalls are managed across the pharmaceutical supply chain. While the primary goal of DSCSA is to ensure the traceability of medications, a less talked-about benefit is the impact it will have on recall efficiency and safety.
Traditionally, drug recalls have been a slow, labor-intensive process, with healthcare providers and pharmacies struggling to trace affected products across complex, opaque supply chains. This delay could put patients at serious risk, as harmful drugs might remain on shelves or even reach consumers before action is taken.
DSCSA will change this by requiring all prescription drugs in the US be serialized and tracked electronically. This enhanced traceability will allow manufacturers, wholesalers, and pharmacies to rapidly identify the exact location of a recalled product, which should dramatically shorten their recall response time. Rather than a blanket recall that disrupts the supply chain and pulls safe medications from circulation, DSCSA will enable more data-driven recalls that better target suspect medications.
In addition to speeding up the process, DSCSA will also ensure greater recall accuracy. Instead of healthcare entities relying on manual tracking and fragmented data, the Act will have trading partners using an interconnected digital system that provides real-time information. Pharmacies and hospitals will be able to pinpoint the location of affected products with confidence, reducing the chances of human error and improving patient safety.
This evolution in drug management will reshape the landscape of patient safety, ushering in a new era of streamlined recalls. As the new 2025 and 2026 deadlines approach, pharmacies and supply chain stakeholders should prioritize implementing the interoperability needed to take full advantage of this critical benefit. With DSCSA, faster and more effective recalls will soon become the new standard, ultimately saving lives.