In one embodiment of the present invention, non-toxic inorganic flakes are used for identification and anticounterfeit protection of pharmaceutical articles, such as pills, tablets and capsules, having a core of a biologically active material and/or a biologically inert material. Non-toxic inorganic authentication flakes, either optically variable flakes or taggant flakes having one or more symbols and/or a selected shape are disposed on the surface or inside of the pharmaceutical article.