DHL has built an advanced cold chain infrastructure, designed to meet the exacting standards of the life sciences and healthcare sector. The company’s multi-temperature pharma hubs now span key global regions as part of its commitment to invest approximately $2.7 billion over the next five years to help healthcare companies grow and thrive.
Not surprisingly, there’s a goldmine of data in the supply chain environment where RFID dwells. “Even as RFID performs necessary tasks, it also provides information to end users,” Tinnel explains. He points to anesthesiologists or pharmacists who can now track and have insight into their inventory, as well as buyers, who can analyze purchasing patterns to ensure they meet rebate requirements from pharmaceutical manufacturers. The real-time inventory visibility that RFID provides can reduce medication waste, prevent stockouts, and ensure mission-critical drugs are always available where needed. Intelliguard’s trademarked Mira Ecosystem features hardware powered by RFID technology and a data intelligence platform that enables users to see the movement of medications in real time.
COO at Intelliguard. “That’s where RFID-enabled inventory intelligence comes into play.” Tinnel cites GS1 and similarly de ned standards that enable medication tracking and tracing throughout the supply chain with total accountability and visibility. RFID makes it possible to do full inventories of tens of thousands of medications in seconds, he notes— eliminating the need for time-consuming manual counts. RFID also enables streamlined cycle counts and helps ensure medications aren’t merely moving through the supply chain. It con rms they’re reaching hospitals, distributors, and ultimately the patient’s bedside, all while maintaining the same ef cacy the pharmaceutical manufacturer intended. “That’s the role of RFID throughout the ecosystem,” Tinnel adds.
These purpose-built solutions provide the visibility, reliability, and compliance that DHL’s partners and patients rely on.
STABLE AND SECURE As pharmaceutical companies work to stay in compliance with the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) and other regulatory requirements, many rely on RFID technology to gain the visibility and control they need. The DSCSA—which outlines a phased approach to enhancing the security and traceability of prescription drugs in order to prevent counterfeit, stolen, or contaminated drugs from entering the market—has accelerated adoption of RFID across the healthcare supply chain. Companies such as Intelliguard, a San Diego-based medical manufacturer, are leveraging RFID-enabled inventory intelligence to streamline compliance, boost ef ciency, and improve medication management. “Because of DSCSA and other types of legislation, there’s more pressure to have better control systems in place for the overall supply chain involving medication management,” says Tim Tinnel, executive vice president and
“VISIBILITY IS ONE OF THE MOST URGENT DEMANDS WE HEAR FROM OUR HEALTHCARE CUSTOMERS TODAY.” —Cherie Brinkerho, Senior Vice President, Ryder Supply Chain Solutions
July 2025 • Inbound Logistics 129
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