Arvato tasked with implementing and operating the verification system for Austria

Arvato Systems has been tasked with the implementation and operation of the Medication Verification IT platform for the Austrian Medicines Verification Organisation (AMVO).

In February 2019 all prescription drugs sold in Europe must have a unique serial number on its packaging to comply with the EU initiative to combat counterfeit medications. The serial number — a printed data matrix code — is a key part of the initiative along with tamper-proofing packaging. By including verification systems on packaging, serialisation from pharmaceutical manufacture to in-store pharmacy verification can be achieved.

“All pharmaceutical companies in Austria; all pharmaceutical wholesalers, all Austrian pharmacies as well as all hospital pharmacies and doctors with an in-house pharmacy are required to connect to the national verification system — a major IT project,” said AMVO chairman, Dr Jan Oliver Huber.

“We are delighted to see that Austria is ready to rely on the skill-sets and IT competencies of Arvato Systems,” added Peter Koop, vice president for Healthcare at Arvato Systems. “For AMVO, implementation of these requirements means an investment of millions of euros. With our EU-wide experience we will be a solid and reliable IT partner for Austria.”

AMVO is an organisation comprising Pharmig (the Austrian pharmaceutical industry group), the Austrian Generics association, PHAGO (the association of Austrian medical wholesalers) and the Austrian Chamber of Pharmacies.