3M and Texas Instruments today announced they have teamed up to implement a strategy to battle drug counterfeiting and boost pharmaceutical supply chain security. The companies are offering an integrated security solution for the pharmaceutical market's first authenticated radio frequency identification (RFID) industry platform.
The Authenticated RFID Platform is a multilayered, transaction-based security solution where each item is uniquely and securely authenticated. A Texas Instruments RFID tag placed on each package delivers a machine-readable security stamp containing a digital signature that is based on Public-key Infrastructure (PKI). Dispensing sites can use this digital signature as strong evidence that the product came from the original manufacturer. The basic system delivers authentication between each end of the supply chain. Layering overt and covert physical security features into the Authenticated RFID label makes it more difficult to compromise the security of the label and serves as a backup to package verification to give supply chain participants without readers a method to verify tag authenticity.
RFID technology's ability to store a unique serialized number enables the track-and-trace utility required for ePedigree solutions. At each stage of the supply chain, 3M's authentication system confirms the RFID tag's digital signature as genuine, creates a time-stamped event marker and stores the marker on the tag. The Authenticated RFID reader provides additional event information to the network, indicating trusted supply chain participants have handled the product. By using Authenticated RFID to certify the tag and assure chain-of-custody event information is available for supply chain software, pharmacies can confidently receive and distribute drugs that have moved through a safe and secure supply chain. The 3M and Texas Instruments Authenticated RFID Platform is designed to support EPCglobal Inc.'s network and serialization scheme currently being developed through the standardization body.
"The Authenticated RFID Platform delivers the critical authentication function necessary today to combat counterfeit activities. It allows the integration of electronic and physical security, and offers future improvements beyond supply chain history," said Mike Delkoski, general manager, 3M Security Systems Division.
"This new approach to addressing drug authenticity using RFID and PKI technologies can be initially implemented at each end of the supply chain today, while providing a migration path to broader deployment across the pharmaceutical supply chain," said Mikael Ahlund, director of RFID Healthcare, Texas Instruments RFid Systems.
For more information on the Authenticated RFID Platform, download the free white paper, Securing the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain - The Authenticated RFID Platform, at http://www.3M.com/security/en/Authenticated_RFID_Platform.pdf.
For more than 30 years, 3M has provided premier security solutions and services that identify, authenticate, secure and track materials and information by combining security and productivity. Drawing on its broad technology base and expertise, 3M creates solutions for a wide array of security needs. Examples include issuance and authentication of travel documents and personal identification cards, brand and asset protection solutions to fight counterfeiting and tampering, file tracking solutions, and library security and workflow management solutions.
About Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments is the world's largest integrated manufacturer of radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders and reader systems. Capitalizing on its competencies in high-volume semiconductor manufacturing and microelectronics packaging, TI is a visionary leader and at the forefront of establishing new markets and international standards for RFID applications. For more information, contact TI-RFid Systems at 1-888-937-6536 (North America) or +1 972-575-4364 (International), or visit the Web site at www.ti-rfid.com.
Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP and analog technologies to meet our customers' real world signal processing requirements. In addition to Semiconductor, the company's businesses include Sensors & Controls, and Educational & Productivity Solutions. TI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales operations in more than 25 countries. Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TXN. More information is located on the World Wide Web at www.ti.com.
About 3M -- A Global, Diversified Technology Company
Every day, 3M people find new ways to make amazing things happen. Wherever they are, whatever they do, the company's customers know they can rely on 3M to help make their lives better. 3M's brands include Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Command and Vikuiti. Serving customers in more than 200 countries around the world, the company's 67,000 people use their expertise, technologies and global strength to lead in major markets including consumer and office; display and graphics; electronics and telecommunications; safety, security and protection services; health care; industrial and transportation. For more information, including the latest product and technology news, visit www.3M.com.
Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Command and Vikuiti are trademarks of 3M.
3M Security Systems Division, St. PaulJoan Olseen, 651-736-1163or3M Public RelationsConnie Thompson, 651-733-8914orBridgeman CommunicationsKim Novino, 617-742-7270
