Schreiner MediPharm, a Germany-based global provider of functional label solutions for the healthcare industry, has introduced NFC-Labels that offer an added layer of protection against counterfeiting for self-administered injectable drugs with smartphone authentication. 

In addition to point-of-use verification, the NFC-Labels also enable interactive patient instruction and support. The new NFC-Labels offer digital first-opening indications.

The labels wrap around part of the cap of the pen or autoinjector, prompting an irreversible digital sealing function to complement digital authentication. During the smartphone scanning process, an automatic check is performed to verify that the product is still intact and has not been previously opened. 

The NFC technology enables the tracing of gray market activities; this allows pharmaceutical manufacturers to monitor their supply chain and provides patients with additional security.

The NFC-Labels contain integrated chips with an encryption function whose codes cannot be faked or manipulated. End users hold their smartphones against the NFC-Label to check the product’s authenticity. 

Schreiner MediPharm’s latest solution addresses the growing trend of self-administration via pens and autoinjectors, as well as the ongoing issue of expensive and high-demand pharmaceuticals being particularly attractive targets for counterfeiters.