Tag Archives: GS1 Healthcare

Russia Officially Cuts Length of Crypto-code in Half

Earlier this month the Russian Federation finally amended Decree #1556 to cut the length of the Signature portion of the crypto-code element of their pharmaceutical unique identifier in half.  Will that solve the problems the industry uncovered, like the barcode taking up so much space and slow read performance?  Let’s take a closer look at it, but first, a review. 

Continue reading Russia Officially Cuts Length of Crypto-code in Half

Barcoding Regulation For India’s Domestic Drug Supply

India has recently made moves to impose a new barcoding requirement for all drugs procured by state and federal governments for domestic public consumption.  The new requirements are part of the preference to “Make In India” program that is intended to “…promote manufacturing and production of goods and services in India with a view to enhancing income and employment.”

Continue reading Barcoding Regulation For India’s Domestic Drug Supply

The Fall Global GS1 Healthcare Conference

On October 17 – 19, 2017 the global GS1 Healthcare community came together for their fall conference in Chicago, IL.  The conference was packed with practical information for implementing GS1 Standards across every spectrum of the Healthcare industry.  To cover the entire event, I’ve asked Karen Fleshman, Co-founder, COO of the Haskins Advisory Group, to cover the medical device sessions while I cover the pharma sessions.  Let’s hear from Karen first. Continue reading The Fall Global GS1 Healthcare Conference

The ANVISA Unique Medicine Identifier (IUM) on Drug Packages

Idea for a barcode that might meet ANVISA requirements
Idea for a barcode that might meet ANVISA requirements

Last week I wrote about the DSCSA Product Identifier on Drug Packages in the United States.  Last month I wrote about shipping container/transport package identification under the Brazil National Medicine Control System (SNCM) (see “ANVISA And The SSCC Controversy”).  Today I will take a look at drug package identifiers under the SNCM as regulated there by the National Agency of Sanitary Surveillance (ANVISA).  Most of the factual information included here is based on Continue reading The ANVISA Unique Medicine Identifier (IUM) on Drug Packages

Global Traceability Data Exchange: Troubled Waters Ahead

iStock_000008540261SmallerAs we near the end of 2014, several important pharma traceability deadlines around the world are approaching.  Besides the U.S. Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA), these include deadlines in Brazil and South Korea.  Of course, each regulation is different.  Now that the initial implementation of the exchange of transaction data in the U.S. is widely being implemented in Electronic Data Exchange (EDI) Advance Ship Notices (ASNs), the next hurdle for drug manufacturers will be to deploy serialization technologies on their U.S. and Korea market packaging lines.  The data exchange technology problem will shift to Brazil, and that’s where I see trouble. Continue reading Global Traceability Data Exchange: Troubled Waters Ahead

Pharma Supply Chain Companies Organize To Establish Global Traceability Data Exchange Architecture

rx-360-logoLast Friday a new committee formed by Rx-360 held their first meeting of parties interested in identifying architectures—or at least “conceptual models”—useful for efficiently meeting the full diversity of pharmaceutical track and trace regulations around the globe.  Rx-360 is a non-profit organization “…formed in 2009 to support an industry-wide commitment to ensure patient safety by enhancing quality and authenticity throughout the pharmaceutical supply chain”, according to their press releases.

The new committee is called the “Traceability Data Exchange Architecture Work Group” and it seeks Continue reading Pharma Supply Chain Companies Organize To Establish Global Traceability Data Exchange Architecture

2014 Fall Conference Season Preview

ConferenceIt is time to look at the better healthcare supply chain conferences coming up this fall.  This year the focus will be on the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) and the Unique Device Identification (UDI) final rule implementations.  For the DSCSA I think we will see presentations aimed at both the immediate 2015 data exchange requirements and those aimed at the 2017 serialization requirements, but I also expect to see presentations aimed at “second generation” data exchange—those based on GS1’s recently updated Electronic Product Code Information Services (EPCIS) standard.  After meeting the initial data exchange requirements for Transaction Information (TI), Transaction History (TH) and Transaction Statements (TS) in January, companies will need to begin preparing for the second generation using EPCIS (see “DQSA: Getting To Electronic Transaction Data Exchange”).  That transition will likely occur over the next three years. Continue reading 2014 Fall Conference Season Preview

Standards and Guidance For U.S. Pharma Supply Chain Technology

[This essay is one of two long lost essays that have now been restored on RxTrace.  It was originally published on November 22, 2010.  See “Return Of Two Classics” for an explanation.]

In my last essay, “Who Will Decide Which Pedigree Model You Will Invest In?” I pointed out how easy it is to get confused about pedigree technology because of varying claims made by certain companies who have interests that don’t align well with yours.  So where can you get better information?  I can provide you with a few good sources, and I will also tell you about a missing ingredient that I see in the current guidance landscape that will need to be addressed in the next couple of years. Continue reading Standards and Guidance For U.S. Pharma Supply Chain Technology