Pfizer tags Viagra with RFID

01/07/06 - newratings.com

NEW YORK, January 7 (newratings.com) – Pfizer Inc (PFE) has begun adding a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag on all its Viagra packages since December 15, with the aim of reducing the sales of counterfeit versions of the drug in the market.

This microcip based technology is able to communicate with special scanners that are in turn able to communicate with dedicated servers to confirm the authenticity of the product. Though critics are questioning the plan to spend $5 million on the project, the company is optimistic about the impact that it may have on one of its biggest products today. The global revenues from Viagra sales in the third quarter were $386 million, according to Reuters.