Why barcodes still matter in modern pharma

Barcodes sit at the centre of medicine identity, traceability, and release. Teams across manufacturing, wholesale, and pharmacy use them every day to keep the supply chain safe and efficient. The European Union’s safety‑feature regime and the United States Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) both depend on machine readable identifiers on each pack. These systems cut falsification risk, speed recalls, and reduce rework during audits (European Commission, n.d.; FDA, 2021).

Policy also sets a public‑health context. The World Health Organization links better identification to its medication safety drive, which aims to reduce avoidable harm from medicines across the health care system. Safer labelling and clearer product information support that goal (WHO, 2017).

Two regulatory anchors: EU safety features and US DSCSA

EU: unique identifier + anti‑tamper. In Europe, most prescription packs carry two “safety features”: a unique identifier in a 2D code and an anti‑tampering device. Manufacturers upload each pack’s encoded information to a secure repository before release. Pharmacies then scan the code and check the seal at supply, which both verifies authenticity and “decommissions” the serial so no one can reuse it (European Commission, n.d.; MHRA, 2019).

US: DSCSA product identifier. In the United States, DSCSA requires a 2D Data Matrix on packages that carries the GTIN, serial number, expiry, and lot. Systems use those data to support interoperable tracing at the package level across trading partners. FDA guidance describes the data elements, the code format, and the relationship to older linear barcodes that still meet 21 CFR 201.25 in specific contexts (FDA, 2021; CDC, 2023).

Both frameworks point in the same direction. Teams must scan, record, and act in near real time. Teams must also prove the link from the package in hand to the digital record, and then to the decision that followed (European Commission, n.d.; FDA, 2021).

Read more: Pharma’s EU AI Act Playbook: GxP‑Ready Steps

What to put on pack: symbologies and data

Types of barcodes fall into two broad families that pharma teams meet every day.

1D (one‑dimensional) formats. These include linear barcodes such as EAN‑13, Code 128 (GS1‑128), and the UPC barcode common at retail. These codes excel at point‑of‑sale and some warehouse tasks. They carry short identifiers, scan fast, and suit legacy scanners in North America and elsewhere (GS1 US, n.d.).

2D (two‑dimensional) formats. These include GS1 DataMatrix and QR codes with GS1 Digital Link. They carry more encoded information in a small space and work well on tiny vials or syringes. They also support direct links to up‑to‑date product information on a website when teams scan with a modern device (GS1, 2025; GS1, n.d.).

If you need a quick map for your packaging brief, use this simple pair:

• DataMatrix for serialised identifiers at the unit‑of‑use (EU FMD, US DSCSA, hospital inventory).

• Linear (EAN/UPC or GS1‑128) for outer packs, pallet labels, and retail settings where systems still expect 1D (GS1 US, n.d.; GS1, 2025).

• GS1 calls these rules “General Specifications”. The document defines types of barcodes, the type of 2D barcodes that fit healthcare, and the application identifiers that make the data unambiguous across markets (GS1, 2025).

Read more: Cell Painting: Fixing Batch Effects for Reliable HCS

How scanning works in the pharmacy and the warehouse

A European pharmacy follows a straight path. Staff scan the machine readable code. The system checks the serial against the repository. The system also prompts a quick seal check.

If the scan passes and the seal looks intact, the record changes state and the pack leaves under “decommissioned” status. If the scan raises an alert, staff hold the pack and follow a clear procedure (European Commission, n.d.; MHRA, 2019).

In the United States, DSCSA pushes for “traceability by design”. A wholesaler scans on receipt and on ship. A dispenser scans at hand‑off to the patient. Partners exchange interoperable data so investigators can follow a pack’s trail within hours, not weeks (FDA, 2021).

Both flows place people at the centre. Healthcare professionals want fast, clear signals. Systems must show “what this pack is”, “where it came from”, and “what to do now” without friction. That design supports safe medication management and reduces waste during audits and recalls (European Commission, n.d.; WHO, 2017).

Data you actually need inside the code

At minimum, a serialised pack needs:

• A product identifier (GTIN or national code mapped to a GTIN).

• A unique serial number.

• Expiry date.

• Batch or lot number.

DSCSA spells out the four DSCSA fields in the package Data Matrix and clarifies where teams still need a separate linear code to meet legacy label rules. The guidance also answers common change‑control questions when you update labels (FDA, 2021).

EU safety features rely on the same set, with a strong focus on verification at supply and on the long term integrity of the repository. Those checks stop recycled serials and highlight suspicious events early (European Commission, n.d.).

Read more: Explainable Digital Pathology: QC that Scales

Choosing the right code for tough real‑world contexts

Tiny primary containers. Use a compact DataMatrix with the smallest module size your vision system can read across your types of barcodes. Test under glare, curved glass, and high‑speed rotation. Always print a human‑readable string nearby for manual rescue (GS1, 2025).

Cartons at retail. Keep a UPC barcode or EAN for tills that still sit on 1D. Add the 2D code for serialisation and rich data. Configure scanners to read both, with a priority rule that meets your site’s need (GS1 US, n.d.).

Hospital stores and kits. Pack kits with a DataMatrix on each component and a GS1‑128 on the kit label. That mix helps central stores manage picks while theatres scan small units into their inventory management and medication management systems (GS1, 2025).

Barcodes and better medication safety

Better identification reduces selection errors and supports clean recalls. The World Health Organization set a global goal to cut severe, avoidable medication harm. Clearer labels, consistent barcodes, and fast digital checks help teams meet that goal in every health care system (WHO, 2017).

This is not only a European story. Hospitals across North America now scan QR codes or DataMatrix symbols on vaccines and high‑risk products. The CDC encourages 2D barcodes on vaccine packs to improve record quality and cut transcription errors during clinic sessions (CDC, 2023).

Read more: Validation‑Ready AI for GxP Operations in Pharma

Data quality: the part that breaks most projects

Bad data ruins good codes. Teams often ship packs with the wrong encoded information, stale product information, or mis‑mapped AIs.

Avoid that trap. Keep one product master. Assign an owner. Tie print files and repository uploads to that single source. Run pre‑flight checks before every production release (GS1, 2025).

When packs cross borders, expect small differences. Some markets still ask for local pharmacode formats or extra strings that sit next to the ISO date. Keep those extras out of the DataMatrix unless local rules say otherwise. Protect global consistency first, then add local fields visually (GS1, 2025).

Interoperability: from factory to last mile

A strong supply chain view needs more than a pack code. Warehouses need SSCC pallet labels. Shippers need EDI or API feeds.

Dispensers need clean look‑ups for price, shortage flags, and clinical notes. GS1 standards cover these flows and keep the machine readable elements consistent end to end (GS1, 2025; GS1 US, n.d.).

That same design helps investigations. When a regulator asks for a trail, your team can pull the scans by serial, show the status changes, and attach the relevant batch decisions in minutes, not days (European Commission, n.d.; FDA, 2021).

Read more: Edge Imaging for Reliable Cell and Gene Therapy

United States vs EU: what differs and what aligns

• Repository vs interoperability. EU safety features centre on a verification repository and decommissioning at supply. DSCSA centres on interoperable exchange and unit‑level tracing. Both aim at the same outcome: a safe supply chain and clear accountability for each box (European Commission, n.d.; FDA, 2021).

• Symbology. Both use DataMatrix for units, with support for linear barcodes where legacy systems still need them (UPC barcode at retail, GS1‑128 in logistics). That mix supports backward compatibility while teams modernise (GS1 US, n.d.; FDA, 2021).

• People and process. Both expect trained staff, clean SOPs, and audit‑ready records. Both expect fast responses to alerts. Both view falsification and diversion as ongoing risks that demand long term vigilance (European Commission, n.d.; FDA, 2021).

Practical tips for better scanning performance

• Keep quiet zones and contrast within GS1 tolerances; adjust inks and boards for small‑module DataMatrix codes (GS1, 2025).

• Test in motion with your actual cameras and optics; static checks hide motion blur.

• Train healthcare professionals on “scan‑first” habits in stores and dispensaries; measure scan rates, not only stock accuracy.

• When teams report false alerts, fix root causes quickly—duplicate serials, mis‑reads from poor print, or wrong GTIN mappings (MHRA, 2019; FDA, 2021).

Read more: AI in Genetic Variant Interpretation: From Data to Meaning

A note on data field names and odd imports

Some data feeds bundle both organisation type and country into a single field. You may even meet the string pharmacyunited states in legacy imports.

Clean that field on ingest. Split it into “site type” and “country”. Keep your repository free of such glue. Small hygiene wins like this protect analytics and compliance downstream.

Where standards go next

Standards continue to evolve. GS1 promotes broader QR codes adoption with GS1 Digital Link so smartphones can fetch current product information directly from a pack. Industry groups also discuss a retail “sunrise” for 2D in some sectors. Healthcare will move more slowly because patient risk sits higher, but the direction stays clear: compact machine readable codes with richer data, under one global standard (GS1, 2025; GS1 US, n.d.).

At the same time, large providers and payers in North America ask for tighter scan‑to‑record flows. They want fewer transcription steps and cleaner links from each medicine to the patient record. Those asks line up with the WHO challenge on medication safety and the broader goals of each international organization that pushes for safer systems (WHO, 2017).

Read more: AI Visual Inspection for Sterile Injectables

How TechnoLynx can help

TechnoLynx equips pharma, wholesale, and hospital teams with machine readable workflows that align with EU safety features and DSCSA. We deploy vision and barcodes pipelines on‑premise, tune codes for tough surfaces, and integrate scan events with your QMS and ERP.

We also build explainable dashboards that show serial status, scan quality, and recall reach within minutes. Our solutions keep product information current across sites and reduce noise from false alerts. We package everything with validation artefacts and change control that QA accepts on first pass. We support inventory management, pack design, and lane qualification with the same discipline that your auditors expect.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023) Drug Supply Chain Security Act and 2D vaccine barcodes. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/iis/2d-barcodes/downloads/Drug-Supply-Chain-Security-Act-508.pdf

• European Commission (n.d.) Falsified medicines. Available at: https://health.ec.europa.eu/medicinal-products/falsified-medicines_en

• Food and Drug Administration (2021) Product identifiers under the Drug Supply Chain Security Act: Questions and answers—Guidance for industry. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/media/116304/download

• GS1 (2025) GS1 General Specifications, Version 25.0. Available at: https://www.gs1.org/standards/barcodes-epcrfid-id-keys/gs1-general-specifications

• GS1 (n.d.) General Specifications—overview and symbologies. Available at: https://gs1mu.org/standards-services/gs1-general-specifications (Accessed: 25 September 2025).

• GS1 US (n.d.) Types of barcodes. Available at: https://www.gs1us.org/upcs-barcodes-prefixes/barcode-types

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (2019) Falsified Medicines Directive: Safety features. Available at: https://mhrainspectorate.blog.gov.uk/2019/02/08/falsified-medicines-directive-safety-features/

• World Health Organization (2017) Medication Without Harm—Global Patient Safety Challenge. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-HIS-SDS-2017.6

• Image credits: Freepik