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Article: Challenge #1: FDA's bar code initiative. (Special Unit-Dose Packaging).(use of bar codes reduces dosage errors)
- Article from:
- Food & Drug Packaging
- Article date:
- May 1, 2003
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 BNP Media. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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More than a year ago, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) started the regulatory process to require bar codes on packages of prescription and commonly used over-the-counter drugs sold to hospitals and health care institutions (excluding physician samples). The reason: Automating drug identification at the point of care drastically cuts dispensing errors. The agency is proposing that the bar code be embedded with the product's unique National Drug Code (NDC), which identifies each drug, its dosage form and strength.
Once FDA finalizes the regulation--which is expected to happen this summer--drug packagers will have three years to comply. After that, packages ...