The collaboration is set to revolutionize the healthcare supply chain by increasing the compatibility between RFID (radio frequency identification)-tagged medications and RFID-based medication management systems.
This partnership enables Intelliguard’s Mira Prep and Mira Care stations to read and decode Cencora’s RFID-enabled medications seamlessly. This integration allows healthcare providers access to a broader range of RFID-tagged medications that are compatible with Intelliguard’s systems, streamlining the tracking and management of drug inventories.
The ability to aggregate data from a wider array of RFID-tagged medications represents a significant step forward in optimizing medication supply chains. By providing pre-tagged medications directly to hospitals, this collaboration not only simplifies drug replenishment but also promotes the broader adoption of RFID technology within healthcare environments.
Expanding the selection of RFID source-tagged medications compatible with Intelliguard's products reduces barriers to access and enhances inventory management. This leads to streamlined workflows and a stronger emphasis on patient safety across healthcare facilities.
Tim Tinnel, chief operating officer of Intelliguard, emphasized the importance of this partnership, he said: “We empower healthcare professionals to focus on patient safety by reducing time-consuming, manual processes. By joining Cencora to bridge the gap between RFID-based medication management systems and RFID source-tagged medications, we support healthcare facilities in optimizing operations, reducing risks, and maximizing ROI.”
As hospitals increasingly adopt RFID technology, the involvement of manufacturers and distributors in medication tagging becomes critical. This shift towards RFID-tagged medications represents a crucial advancement in healthcare, delivering tangible benefits from manufacturing and distribution to hospital administration.
Matt Wright, SVP, global products and solutions portfolio leader at Cencora, highlighted the challenges that the collaboration aims to address, he said: “The lack of sourced tagging for medications puts an additional burden on healthcare providers, especially in hospital pharmacies.
“Manual RFID tagging is labor-intensive and can hinder the adoption of RFID solutions, leading to risks such as medication expiry and stockouts. Through greater interoperability and reliability on RFID-tagged medication management, Cencora and Intelliguard are making it easier for hospital pharmacies to adopt RFID technology, driving efficiencies that directly translate into enhanced patient care and improved healthcare outcomes.”
By simplifying the adoption of RFID technology in hospitals, the Intelliguard and Cencora partnership is set to enhance medication tracking, ensure better inventory management, and ultimately, improve patient safety. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, this collaboration marks a significant milestone in the journey toward more efficient and secure medication management systems.
