Q-Med and Schreiner MediPharm Partner to Secure Medicalcosmetic Products in China through Telephonic Authentication
BLAUVELT, NY -- More and more people want to have younger looking skin and
trust products that reduce lines and wrinkles. Product counterfeiters who view this
desire as a lucrative business opportunity sell fake products under the name of the
original product. In the worst case, such counterfeits may contain harmful
ingredients. The threat posed by pirated medical products is particularly high in
China. Therefore, Q-Med – a Swedish company specializing in medical-cosmetic
products – makes it possible for doctors and patients to authenticate its anti-wrinkle
product Restylane®. Schreiner MediPharm developed a security seal with an
encrypted code and further counterfeit-protection features for this purpose.
In a nation-wide raid in China, counterfeit pharmaceuticals worth $180 million were
confiscated in August 2012, prompting the government and citizens to call for reliable
protection of health-relevant products. Q-Med AB – wholly-owned by Galderma, a
pharmaceutical company focusing exclusively on dermatology – is aware of the
threat and protects the health of Chinese customers with a special security seal that
has been successfully used for the Restylane® product since 2012.
“Our customers rely on a product that has been subjected to years of research and
testing. This makes it all the more important for us to prevent them from suffering
undesirable side effects and health problems by counterfeit products,” says Lars
Carlson, Head of Purchasing at Q-Med, a Galderma division.
Restylane® is a crystal-clear, injectable gel based on hyaluronic acid that is used for
restoring lost facial volume, smoothing wrinkles and plumping up lips. Doctors who
administer the treatment receive the product packaged in prefilled syringes. For
reliable authentication, a syringe label with overt and covert security features is
applied. In addition to a security printing image, a 23-digit KeySecure code is printed
on the label underneath a scratch field.
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To authenticate the product, the doctor or therapist exposes the code by scratching
off the cover with a coin or fingernail, dials the phone number provided on the label,
and enters the security code on the phone’s keypad or touchscreen. In a matter of
seconds, the authenticity of the product and number of queries are checked, and the
caller immediately receives an automated message informing him of the result.
“The KeySecure tracing system allows products to be tracked anywhere in the world.
Aside from the telephonic query, web-based queries are possible too, depending on
the manufacturer’s requirements. If desired, we can also make automatic checks
using smartphones available,” says Gene Dul, President of Schreiner MediPharm
U.S.
Furthermore, through the telephonic code queries Q-Med receives important
information on user behavior and indications of specific threats, such as an
increasing amount of false codes entered in a particular region. For further quality
assurance and documentation, a barcode referencing the security code is integrated
into the label. Undetected tampering with the label is prevented as well.
“The
adhesive that is specifically tailored to this application and security cuts prevent nondestructive removal and relabeling,” adds Mr. Dul.
About Schreiner MediPharm
Based in the Munich area of Germany, Schreiner MediPharm is a global leader in the
development and manufacture of innovative specialty labels with value-added benefits that
have set the standard in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. Schreiner
MediPharm’s expertise is based on over 60 years experience. The family-owned company
provides specialty labels and label printing services to the biggest names in the healthcare
market in over 20 countries around the world, including Japan.
For further information, contact:
Schreiner MediPharm, a business unit of
Schreiner Group LP
300 Corporate Drive, Suite 10
Blauvelt, NY 10913
Phone (845) 848-9000
Fax
(845) 848-9041
info@schreiner-medipharm.com
www.schreiner-medipharm.com
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