Smart pills: 3D barcode system could be used to tackle fake medicines

UK company Sofmat and University of Bradford create process that imprints tiny pinpricks on pills so they can be identified as genuine

A 3D barcode that is invisible to the naked eye and cannot be detected by touch may be stamped on pills to prevent the widespread counterfeiting of medicines.

Developed by the UK company Sofmat and engineers at the University of Bradford, the barcode would help combat the proliferation of fake pills; the World Health Organisation estimates that up to 10% of medicines globally could be counterfeit, with two-thirds of pills bought online being either fake or sub-standard.