California board delays e-pedigree rule until 2011

The California Board of Pharmacy recently decided to delay implementing its electronic pedigree requirements until 2011. Still, the board was clear in its March meeting that it expected pharmaceutical companies, wholesalers, and pharmacies to continue to prepare for the rule's implementation. Originally the e-pedigree requirements were slated to start January 1, 2009, but despite a long lead time for the rule, many companies have told the board that they would not be ready in time.

The slower-than-expected pace of adoption of radio frequency indentification (RFID) technologies has been one of the many issues that have bogged down the adoption of e-pedigree technologies. Companies also complained that they needed additional time to test their systems and work with supply-chain partners. The board did not discuss whether it would extend the deadline to allow existing inventory an additional two years beyond the 2011 compliance date to sell through the supply chain.