I was recently asked to help a small medical device manufacturer switch all of their medical device-related product codes from Health Industry Business Communications Council (HIBCC) Universal Product Numbers (UPN) to GS1 Global Trade Item Numbers (GTIN). Historically, the pharmaceutical supply chain has used GS1 GTINs but the medical device supply chain has predominantly used HIBCC UPNs, so a switch like that seemed to be against the grain. I asked them, “Why are you abandoning HIBCC codes for GS1 codes?”
The answer was a little startling Continue reading Can HIBCC Withstand The GS1 Tide In Medical Device Identification?