Mexican pharma manufacturer launches NFC-enabled smart packaging to fight counterfeits

Mexican pharmaceutical manufacturer IFA Celtics has launched new NFC-enabled smart packaging, developed in collaboration with U.S.-based technology company ForgeStop Technology Corp. The initiative allows medicines to be verified instantly using a smartphone — without the need for a dedicated app.

The partnership makes IFA Celtics the first pharmaceutical company in Mexico to implement Near Field Communication (NFC) for product authentication and one of the first globally to use the technology at commercial scale. Each medicine pack is equipped with an encrypted EM Microelectronic NFC label powered by ForgeStop’s connected packaging platform, enabling patients, pharmacists and regulators to confirm product authenticity in real time.

Counterfeit medicines continue to pose a major challenge for the healthcare industry. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated one in ten medical products in low- and middle-income countries is falsified or substandard. With Mexico recognised as a key corridor for counterfeit drugs entering the United States, IFA Celtics’ adoption of smart verification aims to strengthen supply chain transparency and patient safety across Latin America.

Terry Katz, CEO of ForgeStop, said: This partnership shows how connected packaging can directly protect patients. Every medicine pack has its own secure and unclonable identity, preventing counterfeits while improving traceability and patient trust.

The rollout will see millions of packs verified through the new system, with future plans to integrate regulatory traceability and support upcoming digital product passport and serialisation requirements.

To learn more about how ForgeStop’s NFC authentication technology works, visit forgestop.com/blog/how-nfc-authentication-works.