Canadian Pharmaceutical Bar Coding Project
Title: Canadian Pharmaceutical Bar Coding Project
Date Posted: 02/02/10
Tags: REGULATORY UPDATE, NORTH AMERICA, CANADA
In an effort to increase patient safety, members of the healthcare industry are collaborating to implement standardized bar codes on all aspects of pharmaceutical labeling in Canada.
Headed jointly by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada (ISMP Canada) and the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI), the initiative is guided by a national Implementation Committee and being developed with assistance from a 34-member Technical Task Force (TTF), representing six identified healthcare sectors.
ISMP Canada and CPSI jointly endorsed the adoption of the GS1 global standard for automated identification (e.g., bar coding) of pharmaceutical products in Canada.
The multiphase project has developed draft technical requirements for Canadian pharmaceuticals in the following areas: bar code components and symbologies, product database elements, medications to be included in the categories to be bar coded, and packaging levels and bar code placement.
Canadian Pharmaceutical Bar Coding Project Overview
Technical Requirements and Timelines for Compliance