What is the typical 2D barcode format utilized to encode the serialized National Drug Code and associated data on individual pharmaceutical containers?

Answer

GS1 Data Matrix

For pharmaceutical serialization, the required data set—which includes the unique serialized National Drug Code (NDC), the serial number, the lot number, and the expiration date—must be encoded in a format capable of holding this density of information on a small surface area. The GS1 Data Matrix format is the specified 2D barcode mechanism that fulfills this requirement. Unlike older, linear barcodes, 2D symbologies like the Data Matrix can store significantly more data in a compact space. This capability is vital because the data attached to the saleable unit must be comprehensive enough to allow for verification and tracking throughout the distribution network, a level of detail older linear scanning technologies could not support.

What is the typical 2D barcode format utilized to encode the serialized National Drug Code and associated data on individual pharmaceutical containers?

Related Questions

Which act established the clear timeline for phasing in unit-level tracking for the US drug supply chain?What mechanism electronically links serialized units, like individual blister packs, to their next level of packaging, such as an outer carton?What fundamental requirement distinguishes modern supply chain serialization from earlier tracking methods like batch or case tracking?Which individual is cited as being instrumental in defining the scope of modern supply chain thinking that preceded serialization?What key characteristic ensures that a manufacturer's serialized data can communicate successfully with a wholesaler's system, regardless of software vendor?What is the typical 2D barcode format utilized to encode the serialized National Drug Code and associated data on individual pharmaceutical containers?Beyond mitigating counterfeit risk, what long-term operational benefit does precise unit serialization enable for managing product recalls?What crucial element must be present on a pharmaceutical unit alongside the unique serialized NDC for regulatory tracking purposes?What operational constraint necessitates significant scaling of IT infrastructure when moving to high-volume unit verification?Which global regulatory framework, implemented in regions like the European Union, required track-and-trace based on unique product identifiers?
inventionsupply chainlogisticstrackingserialization