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FDA Approves Pilot Using Next-Generation Blockchain and IoT to Track Healthcare System Medicine Transfers
April 25, 2019 at 13:15 PM EDT
RALEIGH, N.C. - April 25, 2019 - PRLog -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a multi-regional pilot studying the use of blockchain-enabled data technology to track and verify specialty prescription drugs, to ensure safety, enhance value and improve health outcomes.
The pilot consortium is comprised of Rymedi, Temptime/Zebra, Indiana University Health, WakeMed Health & Hospitals, Good Shepherd Pharmacy and its RemediChain project, as well as the Center for Supply Chain Studies and the Global Health Policy Institute. The group will test implementation of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA), starting in August 2019.
This pilot will focus on intra- and inter-health system medication transport and usage in North Carolina, Indiana and Tennessee, and studies the application of blockchain and IoT technology used to monitor specialty medication distribution across supply chains. Improved supply monitoring will enhance quality control of medicine, provide data for more targeted inventory and recall management and save lives.
Beyond testing the implementation of next-generation blockchain and IoT (Internet of Things) technology, this pilot advances emerging best-practices for healthcare system data sharing and coordination. With movements toward value-based healthcare and precision medicine advancing in the U.S. and abroad, this connected health infrastructure paves the way for the patient-centric future that healthcare innovators worldwide are working towards.
Rymedi's data platform provides immutable supply genealogy and multi-partner data access, alongside standard operating procedures within hospital networks after they take custody of medicines from wholesale distributors and third-party logistics providers (3PLs).
According to David Stefanich, CEO of Rymedi: "Applying emerging technologies alongside regulatory standards development will not only ensure safe, quality products in healthcare, but will also display how our industry is evolving and working towards connected care innovation."
According to Renaat Van den Hooff, Managing Director of Temptime, "Our stated mission is: 'Improving Global Health.' We have lived this mission every day of the last 3 decades since global health organizations first asked us to design highly reliable, cost-saving, vial-level vaccine temperature monitors. Global supply chains are also cold-chains that distribute highly temperature-sensitive, life-saving medicines. Improving patient safety, helping to preserve drug quality, and reducing fraud and waste in supply chains through the use of temperature sensors and smart labels is the reason we do what we do, and we believe this is essential to supporting FDA's DSCSA implementation efforts."
The Center for Supply Chain Studies and the Global Health Policy Institute at the University of California San Diego will provide design and evaluation support to optimize the pilot's impact on policy and industry standards development.
Indiana University Health, the largest hospital network in Indiana, and WakeMed Health & Hospitals, the leading provider of health services in Raleigh, N.C., will implement the blockchain solution to track specialty medicines across provider locations within their networks, as well as transfers to other provider networks – as is commonly done to address regional inventory shortages.
"Blockchain technology provides a platform to innovate healthcare delivery, and we are proud to be part of the collaborative effort to enhance interoperability for the benefit of patients," said Diana Rhyne, executive director for WakeMed Innovations. "Its applications have the potential to make a positive impact across the full spectrum of the healthcare continuum – from data integrity and pharmaceutical supply chain to improved patient safety and health outcomes."
Good Shepherd Pharmacy and its associated RemediChain project will apply the solution to medicine transfers in their pioneering approach to connecting patients unable to afford specialty and rare disease medications with donated medications, all while assuring patients, regulators and providers of the origin and quality of the donated medicines.
For media inquiries and interviews, please contact ftanner@rymedi.com
About Rymedi
Rymedi exists to help the healthcare industry collaborate and create value across silos. With technology designed for the highest global regulations, Rymedi enables companies across the healthcare ecosystem to more effectively capture, track and share data for smarter, faster health impact and improved patient outcomes. For more information, visit rymedi.com
About Temptime Corporation/Zebra Technologies
Temptime, recently acquired by Zebra Technologies, is the world leader in the development and manufacture of time-temperature indicators for the healthcare industry. The company plays a vital role in improving global health by providing solutions that monitor temperature- sensitive medical and biological products and devices. For nearly 30 years, its solutions have helped healthcare workers immunize millions of children in the most difficult-to-reach regions of the world. For more information, visit temptimecorp.com
Zebra empowers the front line of businesses in retail/ecommerce, manufacturing, transportation, logistics, healthcare and other industries to achieve a performance edge, working with more than 10,000 partners across 100 countries to deliver industry-tailored, end-to-end solutions that intelligently connect people, assets and data to help their customers make business-critical decisions. Their market-leading solutions elevate the retail experience, track and manage inventory, and improve supply-chain efficiency and patient care. For more information, visit zebra.com
About Indiana University Health
Indiana University Health is a non-profit health system and the largest network of physicians in the state of Indiana, providing primary and specialty care. A unique partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine, one of the nation's leading medical schools, gives patients access to leading-edge medicine and treatment options that are available first, and often only, at IU Health. For more information, visit iuhealth.org
About WakeMed Health & Hospitals
Serving the community since 1961, WakeMed is a not-for-profit health care system founded and based in Raleigh, N.C. The largest health system in Wake County, WakeMed exists to improve the health and well-being of our community by providing outstanding and compassionate care to all. The 941-bed system comprises a network of facilities throughout the Triangle area, including three full-service hospitals, seven emergency departments, a dedicated Children's Hospital and Rehabilitation Hospital, more than 80 physician offices and Wake County's only Level I Trauma Center. WakeMed's mission-driven team includes more than 9,100 employees, 1,500 volunteers, 1,300 affiliated physicians and 525 employed physicians. WakeMed is also home to WakeMed Innovations, dedicated to taking ideas from conception to reality by connecting partners, employees and providers with tools and resources to accelerate innovation and enhance patient care. For more information, visit wakemed.org
About Good Shepherd Pharmacy and RemediChain
Good Shepherd Pharmacy, a Memphis-based nonprofit pharmacy, exists to save lives by providing medication to those who are otherwise unable to afford it. RemediChain in Good Shepherds blockchain solution, allowing patients to donate unused oral chemotherapy medication. For more information, visit goodsheprx.com
About the Center for Supply Chain Studies
As a neutral nonprofit organization, the Center for Supply Chain Studies (C4SCS) aims to support the entire supply chain in its ongoing efforts to stay connected, advance education, improve efficiencies and streamline compliance. The C4SCS hosts an online forum for team exploration and collaboration, closely monitors the healthcare industry and shares insights on compliance issues, challenging topics, emerging technologies and trends with members. For more information, visit c4scs.org
About the Global Health Policy Institute at the University of California San Diego
Established in 2014 as an affiliate with the UC San Diego - MAS Program in Health Policy and Law, the Global Health Policy Institute (GHPi) is a safe space for multidisciplinary research, education and advocacy aimed at improving domestic and global health outcomes. Members of GHPi constitute a diverse group of individuals from academia, government, the private sector and civil society with real world experience in global health and health policy, law and governance. For more information, visit ghpolicy.org
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Read Full Story - FDA Approves Pilot Using Next-Generation Blockchain and IoT to Track Healthcare System Medicine Transfers | More news from this source
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The pilot consortium is comprised of Rymedi, Temptime/Zebra, Indiana University Health, WakeMed Health & Hospitals, Good Shepherd Pharmacy and its RemediChain project, as well as the Center for Supply Chain Studies and the Global Health Policy Institute. The group will test implementation of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA), starting in August 2019.
This pilot will focus on intra- and inter-health system medication transport and usage in North Carolina, Indiana and Tennessee, and studies the application of blockchain and IoT technology used to monitor specialty medication distribution across supply chains. Improved supply monitoring will enhance quality control of medicine, provide data for more targeted inventory and recall management and save lives.
Beyond testing the implementation of next-generation blockchain and IoT (Internet of Things) technology, this pilot advances emerging best-practices for healthcare system data sharing and coordination. With movements toward value-based healthcare and precision medicine advancing in the U.S. and abroad, this connected health infrastructure paves the way for the patient-centric future that healthcare innovators worldwide are working towards.
Rymedi's data platform provides immutable supply genealogy and multi-partner data access, alongside standard operating procedures within hospital networks after they take custody of medicines from wholesale distributors and third-party logistics providers (3PLs).
According to David Stefanich, CEO of Rymedi: "Applying emerging technologies alongside regulatory standards development will not only ensure safe, quality products in healthcare, but will also display how our industry is evolving and working towards connected care innovation."
According to Renaat Van den Hooff, Managing Director of Temptime, "Our stated mission is: 'Improving Global Health.' We have lived this mission every day of the last 3 decades since global health organizations first asked us to design highly reliable, cost-saving, vial-level vaccine temperature monitors. Global supply chains are also cold-chains that distribute highly temperature-sensitive, life-saving medicines. Improving patient safety, helping to preserve drug quality, and reducing fraud and waste in supply chains through the use of temperature sensors and smart labels is the reason we do what we do, and we believe this is essential to supporting FDA's DSCSA implementation efforts."
The Center for Supply Chain Studies and the Global Health Policy Institute at the University of California San Diego will provide design and evaluation support to optimize the pilot's impact on policy and industry standards development.
Indiana University Health, the largest hospital network in Indiana, and WakeMed Health & Hospitals, the leading provider of health services in Raleigh, N.C., will implement the blockchain solution to track specialty medicines across provider locations within their networks, as well as transfers to other provider networks – as is commonly done to address regional inventory shortages.
"Blockchain technology provides a platform to innovate healthcare delivery, and we are proud to be part of the collaborative effort to enhance interoperability for the benefit of patients," said Diana Rhyne, executive director for WakeMed Innovations. "Its applications have the potential to make a positive impact across the full spectrum of the healthcare continuum – from data integrity and pharmaceutical supply chain to improved patient safety and health outcomes."
Good Shepherd Pharmacy and its associated RemediChain project will apply the solution to medicine transfers in their pioneering approach to connecting patients unable to afford specialty and rare disease medications with donated medications, all while assuring patients, regulators and providers of the origin and quality of the donated medicines.
For media inquiries and interviews, please contact ftanner@rymedi.com
About Rymedi
Rymedi exists to help the healthcare industry collaborate and create value across silos. With technology designed for the highest global regulations, Rymedi enables companies across the healthcare ecosystem to more effectively capture, track and share data for smarter, faster health impact and improved patient outcomes. For more information, visit rymedi.com
About Temptime Corporation/Zebra Technologies
Temptime, recently acquired by Zebra Technologies, is the world leader in the development and manufacture of time-temperature indicators for the healthcare industry. The company plays a vital role in improving global health by providing solutions that monitor temperature- sensitive medical and biological products and devices. For nearly 30 years, its solutions have helped healthcare workers immunize millions of children in the most difficult-to-reach regions of the world. For more information, visit temptimecorp.com
Zebra empowers the front line of businesses in retail/ecommerce, manufacturing, transportation, logistics, healthcare and other industries to achieve a performance edge, working with more than 10,000 partners across 100 countries to deliver industry-tailored, end-to-end solutions that intelligently connect people, assets and data to help their customers make business-critical decisions. Their market-leading solutions elevate the retail experience, track and manage inventory, and improve supply-chain efficiency and patient care. For more information, visit zebra.com
About Indiana University Health
Indiana University Health is a non-profit health system and the largest network of physicians in the state of Indiana, providing primary and specialty care. A unique partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine, one of the nation's leading medical schools, gives patients access to leading-edge medicine and treatment options that are available first, and often only, at IU Health. For more information, visit iuhealth.org
About WakeMed Health & Hospitals
Serving the community since 1961, WakeMed is a not-for-profit health care system founded and based in Raleigh, N.C. The largest health system in Wake County, WakeMed exists to improve the health and well-being of our community by providing outstanding and compassionate care to all. The 941-bed system comprises a network of facilities throughout the Triangle area, including three full-service hospitals, seven emergency departments, a dedicated Children's Hospital and Rehabilitation Hospital, more than 80 physician offices and Wake County's only Level I Trauma Center. WakeMed's mission-driven team includes more than 9,100 employees, 1,500 volunteers, 1,300 affiliated physicians and 525 employed physicians. WakeMed is also home to WakeMed Innovations, dedicated to taking ideas from conception to reality by connecting partners, employees and providers with tools and resources to accelerate innovation and enhance patient care. For more information, visit wakemed.org
About Good Shepherd Pharmacy and RemediChain
Good Shepherd Pharmacy, a Memphis-based nonprofit pharmacy, exists to save lives by providing medication to those who are otherwise unable to afford it. RemediChain in Good Shepherds blockchain solution, allowing patients to donate unused oral chemotherapy medication. For more information, visit goodsheprx.com
About the Center for Supply Chain Studies
As a neutral nonprofit organization, the Center for Supply Chain Studies (C4SCS) aims to support the entire supply chain in its ongoing efforts to stay connected, advance education, improve efficiencies and streamline compliance. The C4SCS hosts an online forum for team exploration and collaboration, closely monitors the healthcare industry and shares insights on compliance issues, challenging topics, emerging technologies and trends with members. For more information, visit c4scs.org
About the Global Health Policy Institute at the University of California San Diego
Established in 2014 as an affiliate with the UC San Diego - MAS Program in Health Policy and Law, the Global Health Policy Institute (GHPi) is a safe space for multidisciplinary research, education and advocacy aimed at improving domestic and global health outcomes. Members of GHPi constitute a diverse group of individuals from academia, government, the private sector and civil society with real world experience in global health and health policy, law and governance. For more information, visit ghpolicy.org
Photos: (Click photo to enlarge)
Read Full Story - FDA Approves Pilot Using Next-Generation Blockchain and IoT to Track Healthcare System Medicine Transfers | More news from this source
Press release distribution by PRLog
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