Healthcare companies that use pharmaceutical labels have been advised to add serial numbers to their products.

According to Mark Davison of Blue Sphere Health, serialisation could offer a number of "huge" long-term benefits to the pharma industry.

For instance, he told SecuringPharma.com that it may prove useful if issues regarding manufacturing quality arise and products have to be recalled.

This, he stated, is because millions of pounds could be saved as companies would be able to flag up which particular batches need to be returned.

In addition, Mr Davison suggested that unique serial numbers could help the pharmaceutical sector clamp down on counterfeit products.

"Traceability through serialisation of each pack would help prevent those potentially expensive frauds," he commented.

This comes shortly after the government outlined steps to support the pharma industry in the Chancellor's Budget.

George Osborne said the coalition intends to "radically reduce" the amount of time it takes for clinical trials to receive approval.

Denny Bros Ltd, 07 April 2011