The Importance of Accurate GTIN and 2D Barcode Data in the Modern Healthcare Environment

19th November 2025

The Importance of Accurate GTIN and 2D Barcode Data in the Modern Healthcare Environment

Summary: The MHRA Inspectorate explains that in today’s healthcare ecosystem—spanning medicines, medical devices, robotics, point-of-care diagnostics and connected supply chains—accurate GTINs and 2D barcodes (such as the GS1 DataMatrix) are essential. These data carriers enable end-to-end traceability: they allow products to be reliably identified, their history to be tracked, and issues such as recalls, counterfeits or incorrect usage to be managed promptly. Inconsistent or incorrect barcode data can lead to errors at the point of care (wrong patient, wrong dose, wrong product), weaker recall responsiveness, supply-chain vulnerabilities, and ultimately risk to patients. The blog emphasises best-practice approaches: ensuring correct encoding of GTIN, batch/lot numbers, expiry dates and serial numbers; implementing scanning and data verification at each supply-chain node; integrating barcode data with hospital/pharmacy systems and electronic health records; and maintaining continuous review and governance of data quality. The piece also links to GS1 standards work and regulatory expectations that manufacturers, wholesalers, healthcare providers and regulators collaborate to uphold data integrity in product identification.

Link: The Importance of Accurate GTIN and 2D Barcode Data in the Modern Healthcare Environment

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