By FDA regulation, every doctor prescribed, controlled substance, over-the-counter, veterinary and holistic medicine and a expanding number of tablets, capsules, and soft gels in these categories are required to display a mark or emboss with which its identification can be achieved. All these identifying markings are collectively known among drug information professionals as imprints. The FDA has required the markings but made no provision for cataloging imprints nor searching catalogs for them.
There have been many drug identification databases produced since the first one was introduced in 1974. The first directories consisted of a collection of the alphanumeric data as well as the physical properties. Look ups are done via an simple string query.
Others have pictures in publications. These types of resources are not comprehensive, are cumbersome to find a pill, and are out of date the same day they were printed. On account of space constraint, and availability, the quantity of images of pills is consequently incomplete. Furthermore, whether or not the database is in print or the most recent web based, the sad fact is that the photos are not searchable. Today, with more than 20,000 imprints in the U.S. market, locating a single image from thousands is a overwhelming undertaking.
Computer, and later internet based databases, cataloged only alphanumeric details in addition to coloring, shape and scoring. All competitive databases fail to catalog any logo graphics that might be part of the imprint. The lookup mechanisms often consist of a simple match of the alphanumeric information, along with other descriptors like the color, shape and scoring. Any logo graphic is merely thrown away in any competitive database.
A search of this type often ends up with dozens, occasionally over one hundred, potential matches and the consumer must pick the final choice by finding the closest match. Even if the final choice is reached, the imprint information is often incomplete because no logo design image details are included into the final results screen. This leaves the user wanting to know if he has discovered his / her pill or not.
Because doubt in deciding on the mark exists, the most effective tablet and capsule imprint database recognizes that mistakes can be simply made when allowing an individual to make the ultimate choice when all the imprint features may not be present.
The solid dosage form identification database makers have continued to tweak flawed methodology for small enhancements in the state of the solid dosage form identification art. But they failed to come up with a good remedy to this problem. Consequently, any attempt to make an identification with competitive databases are neither simple nor definitive.
It was obvious a new paradigm is exactly what was needed.
Drug Identity Information initially identified three recurring problems in the drug identification field:
1. Needing to choose from a listing of products where the user needs to make the final choice, consequently making the chance of being incorrect.
2. Not having all the information in the imprint displayed to confirm the choice made is accurate.
3. Unavailability of an identification due to incomplete databases.
To solve the problems, solutions were first defined:
To positively and particularly declare the ID, each search of an imprint database must lead to a unique solution.
To establish that the ID is accurate, all the information from the imprint must be recorded and exhibited as verification.
To achieve certainty in making an identification (ID), the database must be all-inclusive.
These three criteria were used to set goals that would distinguish the Pill ID .com process from other providers of information in the field. The first objective is accomplished by the implementation of our patented process that sets the rules with which both the imprint is cataloged and the user ultimately makes the identification. This also means that a pill id done on www.pillid.com guides the user to a definitive outcome in every case.
The second goal is achieved by displaying the confirming color, shape and scoring of the dosage form is displayed confirming the pill ID. The display also notifies the user of a possible duplicate imprint when there is one.
Finally, the third objective is attained because Pill ID.Com utilizes the most complete database available.
The patented pill identification system is now available at http://www.drugid.info
Pill Identification
