Pharmacies28 August 20246 min read

Serialization compliance: a mission-critical task for pharmacies.

Practical steps a pharmacy can take to understand serialization rules, scan and record products, and coordinate with suppliers.

Medicine boxes arranged on pharmacy shelves.

A pharmacy is the last step before a medicine reaches a patient. That makes serialization a daily responsibility at the counter, not only a concern for manufacturers.

Understand the requirements

Start with the serialization rules that apply where the pharmacy operates. Know which products carry a unique identifier, what must be verified, and what must be reported, and to whom.

Put a system in place

Choose a system that can read serialized codes, record each verification, and keep the history available for review. The system should fit the way the pharmacy already receives and dispenses stock.

Train the team

Everyone who receives or dispenses medicine should know how to scan a pack, what a failed verification looks like, and what to do next.

Track the product

Scan and record products as they arrive and as they leave. A complete record makes it possible to answer where a pack came from and where it went.

Audit and report

Review records regularly. Check that verifications were completed and that any required reports were sent on time.

Work with suppliers

Serialization depends on the data that comes with a delivery. Agree with suppliers how shipment information is shared and how discrepancies are resolved.

Handle exceptions

A code that does not scan, a pack that does not match its record, or a product that has been flagged all need a defined response. Write the steps down and keep the product aside until the question is answered.