Impact of Track and Trace (T&T) in Industrial Revolution 4.0 of the Pharmaceutical Industry (Pharma 4.0)

Abstract

Industrial revolution 4.0 is a challenge and opportunity for most industries, including the pharmaceutical industry, called Pharma 4.0. In order to bring adequate, agile, and adaptable pharmaceutical manufacturers that produce high-quality drugs with compliance consideration during the era, this sector focuses on strategic area technology development. Hence, pharmaceutical companies concern on ensuring pharmaceutical products’ traceability through managing Supply Chain Management (SCM) functions, such as Track and Trace (T&T). In the pharmaceutical industry, traceability systems’ are various, such as (1) management of inventory control and material; (2) monitoring of distribution and sales; and (3) prevention of counterfeit, deviation, and theft. T&T functionality needs particular embedded software and hardware in the IT architecture during implementation. To sum up, T&T, as one of the SCM systems, is an integrated system to ensure unique serial number management during the packaging process. It allows pharmaceutical companies to track and trace products information accurately and efficiently. The companies, therefore, would be able to take a fast and correct decision about inventory control; return and recall; and prevent illegal action regarding pharmaceutical products’ distribution. It is proven to guarantee security and people’s quality of life and increase private companies’ competitive advantages.