BN (Batch Number): Is the registration number that distinguishes a batch from another during its manufacturing.

DataMatrix is a symbol constituted by the encoded text and/or number characters which is composed of black and white cells on a square (10x10, 144x144) or rectangular (8x18, 16x48) field.

It’s general data size can change from very few bites to 1556 bites. The codified data is associated with the amount of cells that will be used within the DataMatrix. Even if some cells of the DataMatrix get harmed so that they cannot be read, it is possible to read these with the Error Correction Technique (ECC 200). One DataMatrix symbol can include 2.335 alphanumeric characters. Depending on the coding used, a white cell represents 0 and a black cell is a 1, or vice versa.  Every DataMatrix is composed of two solid adjacent borders in an "L" shape (called the "finder pattern") and two other borders consisting of alternating dark and light "cells" or modules (called the "timing pattern"). DataMatrix symbol sizes vary from 8×8 to 144×144.

DataMatrix codes is able to encode 50 characters in 2-3 mm2, that is readable with only a 20% contrast ration (low contrast). In commercial applications they are able to be scaled and readable as small as 300 micrometers and as large as 1 meter square.

The DataMatrix has an error rate of less than 1 in 10 million characters scanned.  (Retrieved from Wikipedia)

To provide the traceability it is needed to assign a unique registration number to each drug unit. This unique registration number is attained through the combination of both the drug barcode number (GTIN: Global Trade Item Number) and serial number (SN: Serial Number). The Batch Number (BN) and the Expiration Date (XD) must also be added onto to the serialized registration data and the obtained information must be printed onto the drug unit. The printing of all the information needed by letters and numbers onto the package of the drug unit takes up a lot of space and the transfer by hand of this information to the virtual platform requires great workload. In order to abolish the problem of reading and writing, the decision was made to use DataMatrix (2D Barcode or QR code) technology through which the information can easily be retrieved by machines. This application was used for drugs for the first time in Turkey. The information which the DataMatrix contains is stated below.

Barcode Number – GTIN (Global Trade Item Number): The maximum 14 digit number which serializes products worldwide.

Serial Number – SN: The unique registration number for defined by the manufacturers for each unit/package on the basis of products.

Expiration Date – XD: The last date that the product can safely be used.

Batch Number – BN: Is the registration number that distinguishes a batch from another during its manufacturing. 

“The Regulation on Packaging and Labeling of Humane Pharmaceutical Products” which was published in the 12.08.2005 dated and 25904 numbered official gazette was updated with the 02.02.2008 dated and 26775 numbered “Regulation for the Amendment of the Regulation on Packaging and Labeling of Humane Pharmaceutical Products”. Thus, the barcode applied on to the product packages was removed and it was decided to apply DataMatrix for the serialization of the drug units.

You can access the details of "Guidance on Implementation of Identification and Barcoding of Medicinal Products for Human Use" on the guides web page.

The mediator addresses which determine the way the users of a service (clients) will access the service are called endpoint addresses. Endpoint addresses are in the form of URL (links).

Trade going beyond national boundaries and reaching an international dimension, the increase of fluctuation in product demand, the increase of customer expectations has brought about the need to generate new solutions to boost the efficiency of the supply chain.

In accordance with these changes in trade, in 1974 manufacturers and distributors from 12 countries have participated in the works to constitute a standard fort the identification of the products in Europe; thus in consequence of these works the International Article Numbering (Originally European Article Numbering, which has been changed to International Article Numbering although the abbreviation remains as EAN) Association whose center is located in Brussels was founded in the year 1977.

The basic task of EAN is to develop international standards suitable for every sector which can define products, services, transportation units and inventories in order to provide efficient supply chain management. Local organizations which are members of EAN are obliged to apply and develop international standards in their own regions.

Over time, EAN’s member profile has gone beyond Europe and has spread over the world, thus in 1992 EAN was given the name International. In the 2000s The International EAN Association’s basic goal has gone beyond simply the creation of definition standard and much greater targets were wet.

In order to fasten and increase the efficiency of the communication among the manufacturers and the customers and to provide tracking of the products within the supply chain, projects like GDSN (Global Data Synchronization Network), RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) and tracking were developed.  As a result of the fact that EAN International no longer appears as an organization which only creates defining standards its name has been changed at the beginning of 2005 as GS1. Today, GS1 has 101 member organizations representing 103 countries.

Barcode NUmber- GTIN (Global Trade Item Number): Is the number which serializes products worldwide and is comprised of 14 digits at most. The Global Trade Item Number is given by GS1.