Pharmaceutical product packaging

• US 20070043633A1
• Filed: 07/07/2006
• Published: 02/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Balinsky, Helen, Chen, Liqun, Harrison, Keith, McDonnell, James
• Granted Patent: US 8,001,016 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

A method of verifying the authenticity of a product, the method comprising reading data from a data storage device which forms part of the packaging of the product, determining from the data an identity code for the data storage device, a random first identifier allocated to the data storage device by the product manufacturer and a digital signature of a parameter which is based on at least a second identifier not derivable from the data, communicating with the product manufacturer or an entity associated therewith using the random first identifier as a reference, receiving from the product manufacturer or the entity associated therewith the second identifier, and verifying the digital signature using the second identifier.

Claims

1. A method of verifying the authenticity of a product, the method comprising:

reading data from a data storage device which forms part of the packaging of the product;

determining from the data an identity code for the data storage device, a random first identifier allocated to the data storage device by the product manufacturer and a digital signature of a parameter which is based on at least a second identifier not derivable from the data;

communicating with the product manufacturer or an entity associated therewith using the random first identifier as a reference;

receiving from the product manufacturer or the entity associated therewith the second identifier; and

verifying the digital signature using the second identifier.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein verifying the digital signature comprises calculating the parameter, and verifying that the calculated parameter corresponds to the digitally signed parameter thereby to verify the digital signature.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of determining further comprises obtaining data concerning the product.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the data concerning the product comprises an image file showing the appearance of the product and/or the packaging.

5. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the data concerning the product comprises product expiry information and/or dosage information and/or drug provenance information.

6. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the parameter comprises a function of the data concerning the product, the first random identifier, the identity code and the second identifier.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the parameter is a function also of a packaging identifier, and wherein the step of determining further comprises obtaining the packaging identifier.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the parameter is a function also of a packaging seal identifier, and wherein the step of determining further comprises obtaining the packaging seal identifier.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises verifying the packaging is intact.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein reading data comprises using a short range reader, with a range of less than 5 mm.

11. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the product is a pharmaceutical product.

21. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein verifying the digital signature comprises using a public key of the manufacturer or the entity associated therewith.

12. A method of providing data for verification of the authenticity of a pharmaceutical product, the method comprising:

providing a data storage device as part of the packaging of a pharmaceutical product;

providing on the data storage device an identity code for the data storage device, a random first identifier allocated to the data storage device and a digital signature of a parameter based on at least a second identifier not derivable from the data;

receiving a communication from a third party seeking verification information;

checking that a first identifier received from the third party is a valid first identifier; and

providing the second identifier to the third party, thereby to enable the third party to verify the digital signature using the second identifier.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12, further comprising providing a public key to enable digital signature verification.

14. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein providing data on the data storage device comprises providing data concerning the pharmaceutical product.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein providing data on the data storage device comprises providing an image file showing the appearance of the product and/or the packaging.

16. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein providing data on the data storage device comprises providing a parameter which is a function of the data concerning the pharmaceutical product, the first random identifier, the identity code and the second identifier.

17. A pharmaceutical product packaging comprising a data storage device storing read only data, the data comprising:

an identity code for the data storage device;

a random first identifier allocated to the data storage device by the pharmaceutical product manufacturer or an entity associated therewith; and

a digital signature of a parameter, which parameter is based on at least a second identifier not derivable from the data.

18. A product as claimed in claim 17, wherein the data further comprises data concerning the pharmaceutical product.

19. A product as claimed in claim 18, wherein the data further comprises an image file showing the appearance of the product and/or the packaging.

20. A pharmaceutical product comprising a drug and packaging as claimed in claim 17.