Pharmaceutical Industries
Product Identification and Traceability
Barcodes are applied to pharmaceutical products at various packaging levels, including primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging. This enables unique identification and traceability throughout the supply chain. Each barcode contains information such as the product's National Drug Code (NDC), batch/lot number, expiration date, and serial number.
An Overview
Barcoding is a critical technology in the pharmaceutical industry, offering a systematic and efficient way to track, trace, and manage various aspects of the supply chain and product life cycle. Here are some key areas where barcoding is extensively used in the pharmaceutical sector,In the event of a product recall, barcoding facilitates the quick and precise identification of affected products. This enables pharmaceutical companies to efficiently and selectively remove specific batches from the market, minimizing the impact on patients and healthcare providers.
Inventory Management
Barcoding is used in warehouses and distribution centers to streamline inventory management processes. By scanning barcodes, pharmaceutical companies can accurately and efficiently track the movement of products, monitor stock levels, and reduce the risk of errors in picking and shipping.
Serialization and Track-and-Trace
Many countries have implemented serialization regulations to combat counterfeiting and ensure patient safety. Barcoding is a crucial component of serialization, where each saleable unit of a drug is assigned a unique serial number encoded in a barcode. This enables precise tracking of the product's movement from manufacturing to distribution and ultimately to the end user.