HDA Research Foundation survey depicts supply chain’s DSCSA implementation progress

A recent survey by the Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA) Research Foundation shows the pharmaceutical supply chain is making steady progress in complying with the 2013 Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA). Nearly one-half of the 57 manufacturers and 21 distributors surveyed described challenges with the requirement for industry to process serialized saleable returns. Approximately 5% of distributors said their dispenser customers understand what is required of them for overall DSCSA compliance. Moreover, 62% of wholesale distributors reported dispenser knowledge of DSCSA requirements varies considerably among pharmacy industry segments. Approximately 21% of manufacturers plan to send serialized data with all products in 2020, down from last year’s survey. While a majority anticipate sending all data with shipped product by 2023, when it is legally required, only 32% plan to first send data between 2020 and 2021. In general, manufacturers and distributors cited collaborating with trading partners, governance, differing legal interpretations of the DSCSA and establishing standards as leading issues as the industry moves toward 2023 interoperability.