PCI Pharma Services (PCI) has unveiled a significant expansion of its serialization capability, tripling capacity across its global supply network to support clients in advance of meeting both U.S. DSCSA and EU FMD implementation dates. It partnered with Antares Vision, Marchesini and Domino for this latest installation, utilizing Antares’ serialization platform and technology architecture across a variety of serialization technology platforms and applications.

The multi-site installations support a variety of drug delivery forms, including bottles, unit cartons and parenteral kits, as well as unit dose wallets and child resistant/compliance prompting packaging. In addition, serialization technologies support ancillary and tertiary packaging, corrugated shippers and palletization solutions for supporting multi-level product aggregation. Aggregation is technically not a requirement for compliance to the 2017 DSCSA deadline, however PCI has strongly supported the advanced use of aggregation to realize significant benefits in packaging operations as well as the broader pharmaceutical supply chain.

“Serialization preparedness is the topic on everyone’s mind in the pharmaceutical industry,” said Ken Richardson, vice president of global engineering, PCI Pharma Services. “This latest investment is considerable, and features what we believe are truly industry-leading technologies. The spotlight is on the industry to meet the November deadline and PCI has directed an amazing amount of financial resources, technological expertise and manpower to help our clients be prepared.”

PCI’s serialization expansion complements an investment in late 2016 in site capacity expansion for its commercial contract packaging services. PCI sites in Philadelphia and Rockford added multiple primary packaging lines including blister packaging, bottling, and pouch/sachet filling technologies as demand continues to grow for outsourced packaging services. In addition, over the past 18 months PCI has hosted regional Serialization Forums in geographical pharmaceutical concentrations including Philadelphia, Boston, Research Triangle Park (RTP) North Carolina, Chicago/Rockford, San Diego, San Francisco, and most recently London. Future venues and dates will be announced in coming months.