EPCglobal HLS Industry Adoption Roadmap
Final Version v13.2
Prepared by the EPCglobal HLS Industry Adoption Task Force
For General Release
Published ___, 2008
Slide 2EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
A Message from the Co-Chairs
• We are proud to have served on this important initiative, and honored to have been chosen as leads for the effort.
• Many people gave selflessly of their time and talent to create this document.• We wish to express heartfelt thanks to the EPCglobal HLS Tri-Chairs, Ron Bone, Mike
Rose, and Ramesh Murthy for their unwavering support, advice, counsel, and friendship during the course of this project!
• We owe a debt of gratitude to the EPCglobal staff, particularly Chuck Schramek for his leadership in guiding us through the entire process, providing his excellent facilitation skills, and bringing humor and fellowship to the project.
• A special thank you to Bob Celeste as well, for his untiring efforts in promoting our efforts, helping us through the tough times, and generally just ‘being there’ for us.
• And finally, a big thank you to our good friends at GS1: Ulrike Kreysa, Michel van der Heijden, Bernie Hogan, John Terwilliger and John Roberts for always making time to provide expert advice on GS1 standards and philosophy. Their contributions are evident throughout the document.
• We hope that you will find this information enlightening and useful in your efforts to design Serialization and Pedigree solutions for your companies.
Best Regards and Happy Reading! Ted Ng, McKesson Corporation Grant Hodgkins, Alcon Laboratories
Slide 3EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
IATF Companies / Organizations
Supply Chain Partners
•Abbott Laboratories•Ahold N.V.•Albertsons•Alcon Laboratories•Allergan•AmerisourceBergen Corp.•AstraZeneca•Baxter Healthcare Corp.•Bristol Meyers Squibb•Cardinal Health•CVS•Dai Nippon Printing•Genzyme Corporation•GlaxoSmithKline•Johnson & Johnson•Ken Traub Consulting LLC
Supply Chain Partners
•Kimberly-Clark•Matsushita Electric•McKesson Corporation•Merck & Co.•MetaBiz•Motorola Inc.•NEC Corporation•Nestle S.A.•Pfizer Inc.•Proctor & Gamble•Royal Philips Electronics N.V.•Target•The Dow Chemical Company•Unisys•Upsher-Smith Labs•Walgreens Company
The following organizations participated in creation of this deliverable.
Trade / Regulatory
•Auto-ID Labs (MIT)•CPhA•EPCglobal HLS Community•FDA•GS1 HUG Community•HDMA•NACDS•NCPA
Slide 4EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Table of Contents—HLS Roadmap
Executive Summary
1. Purpose2. Scope3. Capabilities and Suggestions
a. Unique Identificationb. Pedigree
4. Action Steps5. Summary and Recommendations6. Appendices
Communications Plan (Separate Deliverable)
Slide 5EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Notes to Reader
• Although this is an EPCglobal chartered team, this document provides flexibility in selecting an appropriate data carrier. Barcodes and RFID are both represented within the document.
• This document is a point-in-time snapshot of the current thinking of the EPCglobal HLS Industry Adoption Task Force.
• It is intended as a starting point for the various industry trade associations. See Appendix 5 for a list of associations who commented on the document.
• Once the document is handed-off these industry trade associations, this document may no longer be kept current.
• Work through your industry trade association to obtain the latest information regarding industry adoption activities and materials for your market segment.
Slide 6EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Disclaimer
• Supply chain participants should rely upon their companies’ legal interpretations of regulatory requirements.– The Industry Adoption Task Force does not interpret legislation
nor recommend compliance postures.– Suggestions presented in the Roadmap and associated
documents are designed to provide a starting point for industry collaboration towards common solutions.
– Suggestions and/or other team deliverables are not to be considered as legal advice and are not intended to substitute for competent legal counsel.
Slide 7EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Executive Summary
• Mission: – Define a ‘starting set’ of suggestions for industry trade
associations to discuss with their members to facilitate their efforts in addressing current and emerging regulatory requirements for improving supply chain safety and security.
– Work closely with EPCglobal and GS1 HUG (Healthcare User Group) to develop consensus-based suggestions.
– Educate and hand-off the Roadmap and other deliverables to industry trade associations.
• NOTE: Not intended to be the ‘final answer’ for the industry—the Roadmap is only a starting point for more widespread debate and discussion within the various industry trade associations.
Slide 8EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Executive Summary
• Deliverables:– HLS Industry Adoption Roadmap
• Capabilities• Suggestions• Action Steps• Issues / Barriers / Assumptions• Rationale / Pro and Con Assessment
– Communications Plan / Strategy• Outreach Message• Groups to target for feedback• Feedback mechanism and process• Process to hand-off to industry trade associations
Slide 9EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Purpose of the Roadmap
Slide 10EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Purpose of The Roadmap
• The Roadmap provides suggestions in meeting current and emerging regulatory expectations, including the direction outlined by the FDA’s “Counterfeit Drug Task Force Report: 2006 Update”, the California Pedigree Law (SB1476), and Federal PDMA law.
– Pedigree and Unique Identification, deployed in a coordinated manner, are two Key Capabilities which can advance the industry towards improvements in the safety and security of the supply chain.
• Serves as a starting point for broader discussions within the context of industry trade associations.
• Documents the best ideas from the Industry Adoption Task Force, composed of a cross-section of knowledgeable industry representatives.
• Describes the thought process and rationale of the Industry Adoption Task Force in arriving at the various suggested elements.
Slide 11EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Purpose of The Roadmap
• The Health and Life Sciences (HLS) industry shares the vision of a ‘safe and secure drug supply chain’ premised on transparency and accountability by all persons who handle the prescription drug, starting with the manufacturer and ending with the pharmacy or other healthcare points of dispense, including both forward- and reverse-logistics transactions.– Simply issuing a Pedigree or Uniquely Identifying a product alone does
not improve safety nor security. The “coordinated exchange” of uniquely identified products using the concept of pedigree transactions can result in improved supply chain safety and security.
– The Roadmap is constructed to balance the perceived risks and benefits. This balancing is needed to lessen the impact of incremental costs on the continued availability of affordable healthcare while still achieving the goal of ‘a safe and secure supply chain’.
Slide 12EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Scope of the Roadmap
Slide 13EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Scope of The Roadmap
• Addresses two Key Capabilities:– Unique Identification, including,
• Serialization• Data Carriers for Serialization
– RFID – Barcodes
– Pedigree, which includes the secure exchange of product transactional information between trading partners using an interoperable electronic system.
• Presents Suggestions, Action Steps, and Issues/Barriers and Assumptions as a starting point for industry trade associations.
Slide 14EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Scope of The Roadmap
• Applies to HLS supply chains and participants.– Focus on US Rx drug supply chains and products:
• Most urgent compliance requirements and dates.• California represents the most stringent set of requirements.
– Designed with flexibility to address other HLS products and geographic regions as future requirements arise.
– Adapts and leverages existing GS1 and EPCglobal standards and guidance from HDMA publications.
– A comprehensive list of key sources is included in the Appendix.
Slide 15EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Assess Impact on Trading Partners
Introduction to This Section
• As choices of data carrier, serialization scheme, pedigree and other decisions are made, those choices will necessarily impact your trading partners.
• The following slides highlight some of the concerns, organized by industry segment, that should be considered as you develop strategy and plans.
• This section provides only a basic awareness and a starting point for trading partner discussions.
• Benefits can be more easily captured by all supply chain participants if all segments work closely together to understand and address each others’ concerns.
Slide 16EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Assess Impact on Trading Partners
Manufacturer Concerns with Options and Choices
• Cost and time to implement serialization, regardless of data carrier, presents challenges to wide-scale deployment on all products and all packaging levels.
• Variety of special-situation supply chains present unique challenges (cold chain, reverse logistics, vaccines, liquids, biologics, contract manufacturing, etc.)
• Difficult to justify expenditures for serialization and pedigree unless it is clear that most or all trading partners will utilize this new technology.
• Contract manufacturing supply chains may introduce some of the same concerns from the following Wholesaler and Retailer slides into the Manufacturer’s operations.
Slide 17EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Assess Impact on Trading Partners
Wholesaler Concerns with Options and Choices
• Supporting multiple data carriers will multiply the costs and complexities for the wholesalers.
• In the absence of Serialized Inference, data carriers requiring line-of-sight used at lower packaging levels will significantly decrease productivity.
• Mixture of pedigreed/serialized products and non-pedigreed/non-serialized products complicates operations.
• Must have knowledge of the serialized hierarchy prior to receipt, for instance via an Rx ASN.
• Trading partners may choose to build the serialized hierarchy and/or the pedigree in different formats, complicating operations.
• Potential for throughput and inventory issues based on the combination of the above factors.
Slide 18EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Assess Impact on Trading Partners
Retailer Concerns with Options and Choices
• Each choice of data carrier has its own cost-benefit implications not only for a specific company, but also for those trading partners further down the supply chain.
• Supporting multiple data carriers will multiply the costs and complexities for the retail pharmacies in particular.
• In the absence of Serialized Inference, data carriers requiring line-of-sight used at lower packaging levels will significantly decrease the productivity of retail distribution centers and pharmacies.
• Must have knowledge of the serialized hierarchy prior to receipt, for instance via an Rx ASN.
• Trading partners may choose to build the serialized hierarchy and/or the pedigree in different formats, complicating operations.
• Potential for throughput and inventory issues based on the combination of the above factors.
• There is a compelling need for a total supply chain impact assessment comparing the costs and benefits of the current options for choice of data carrier, particularly at the item level.
Slide 19EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Capabilities and Suggestions
Slide 20EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Capability and Suggestions
Capability and Suggestion slides formatted as:
Capability– Identifies the capabilities needed by trading partners to address
regulatory or other requirements.
Suggestion– Designed to address known US regulatory requirements.– Identifies key dependencies of Standards-based activities.– Ability to extend to other HLS Supply Chains and jurisdictions.
Other Suggestions– Supplemental information.
Rationale– Supporting information to understand the Team’s thought process.
Slide 21EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Unique Identification:
Capability and Suggestions
Slide 22EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Capability: Unique Identification(excerpted from SB1476)
Note: California law defines ‘dangerous drug’ as a “drug that by federal or state law can be lawfully dispensed only on prescription or furnished pursuant to Section 4006”. [Section 4022]
• [Section 4034(d)] “A pedigree shall track each dangerous drug at the smallest package or immediate container distributed by the manufacturer, received and distributed by the wholesaler, and received by the pharmacy or another person furnishing, administering, or dispensing the dangerous drug.”
– Capability needed: identify the prescription drug at the Item level as defined in California law.
• [Section 4034(i)] “…uses a unique identification number, established at the point of manufacture…that is uniformly used by manufacturers, wholesalers, and pharmacies for the pedigree of a dangerous drug.”
– Capabilities needed: assign a unique identification number at point of manufacture; uniformly use that unique identification number throughout the supply chain.
Ref: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/05-06/bill/sen/sb_1451-1500/sb_1476_bill_20060929_chaptered.pdf or http://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/laws_regs/lawbook.pdf
Slide 23EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Suggestions: Unique IdentificationSerialization
• Uniquely Identify – Pallets, Totes, Cases, Items.
• Unique Identification should be based on Serialization.– Use current GS1 and EPCglobal serialization schemes appropriate for
the chosen data carrier.– Synchronize serial numbers when using two or more data carriers:
• SSCC: serial number ranges are the same for both Barcode and RFID.• SGTIN: serial number range for AI(21) when used as backup for SGTIN-96
should be limited to same range as SGTIN-96.
– Avoid encoding of Lot Code and/or Expiry Date as an integral part of the serial number; instead, encode this data into RFID User Memory and/or into barcode Application Identifiers designed for this purpose.
• Include backup human-readable text per GS1 standards.
• Continue to partner with GS1 Serialization Team to define global solutions to meet varying serialization challenges.
Answers one specific issue; now resolved
Slide 24EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Suggestions: Unique IdentificationSerialization
• Use EPCglobal, GS1, HDMA standards and guidelines.
– Follow current GS1 and EPCglobal standards for use and/or re-use of serial numbers (standards for SSCC, SGTIN, AI(21) Serial Numbers).
– Companies choosing to use other standards should be prepared to work with their trading partners to assure interoperability.
• See Appendices for additional suggestions on special-interest serialization topics:
– Serialized Inference Inferring reads when less than 100% of data carriers are read.
– NDC Masking Optional, interim practice to mask the Item Reference portion of the 10-digit
NDC in RFID tags to avoid divulging product number for products with patient privacy concerns.
– Barcode and RFID Co-Existence Synchronizing serial numbers when using two or more data carriers.
This is NOT recommended and does not meet GS1 Stds
Slide 25EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Suggestions: Unique IdentificationData Carriers for Serialization
Pallet / Tote Level
Case Level Item Level
Case Large Enough to Carry SSCC-18?
Decision Tree: Choosing Data Carriers for Serialization
Mixed-SKU Case?YES
NO
YESMixed-SKU Case?
NO
NO
YES
Primary Data Carrier?
Barcode
Frequency?
RFID
UHFHF
Use Cases: Suggested Data Carriers for Serialization
Two Data Carriers
RFID UHF Gen2-SSCC-96 data encoded
+GS1 Code 128-AI(00)SSCC-18 data encoded-Human-Readable AI(00) text
1Two Data Carriers
RFID UHF Gen2-SGTIN-96 data encoded
+GS1 Code 128-AI(01) + AI(21) data encoded-Human-Readable AI(01) + AI(21)
Two Data Carriers
RFID UHF Gen2-SGTIN-96 data encoded-NDC Present or Masked (Item)
+2-D Data Matrix-ECC200 format-AI(01) + AI(21) data encoded-Human-Readable AI(01) + AI(21)
Two Data Carriers
RFID HF Version2-SGTIN-96 data encoded-NDC Present or Masked (Item)
+2-D Data Matrix-ECC200 format-AI(01) + AI(21) data encoded-Human-Readable AI(01) + AI(21)
Two Data Carriers
RFID UHF Gen2-SSCC-96 data encoded
+2-D Data Matrix-ECC200 format-AI(00)SSCC-18 data encoded-Human-Readable AI(00) text
One Data Carrier
2-D Data Matrix-ECC200 format-AI(01) + AI(21) data encoded
+Text Backup-Human-Readable AI(01) + AI(21)
2 3 4 5 6
1
2 3 4
5
6
Note Different Frequency
Slide 26EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Rationale: Unique Identification
• Unique Identification Based on Serialization– Serialization is the most compatible mechanism to achieve unique
identification using existing standards and data carriers.
• Avoid encoding of Lot and/or Expiry as an integral part of the Serial Number:– GS1 and EPCglobal standards support encoding of Lot and Expiry into
Application Identifiers, User Memory, or other appropriate data structures. Current standards do not support combining these elements into a single string.
– SGTIN-96 serial numbers allow only numeric values. Lot information is alphanumeric.
– GS1 and EPCglobal standards require a serial number to be transacted as a single string and disallow parsing of data.
– Lot and Expiry data format and data values are not standardized across trading partners; it would be a logistical complication for every trading partner to know every other trading partner’s decode scheme.
– Difficult to interpret a single data stream containing up to three separate data elements in the absence of enabling standards.
Slide 27EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Rationale: Unique Identification
• Uniquely Identify – Pallets, Totes, Cases, Items– California legislation requires unique identification at the Item level.– All packaging levels transacted through the supply chain must be
serialized (in order to maintain the linkage between the serial numbers and the packaging level hierarchy within the pedigree systems).
• Suggestion to use two data carriers– Flexibility in data carrier selection allows building of infrastructure that is
data carrier agnostic.– Mirrors the path that Consumer Goods followed for adoption;
compatible with Consumer Goods supply chain.– On many products in HLS, there is insufficient space to print human-
readable data as a backup for the RFID tag– A barcode used in this situation can provide redundancy.– Redundancy is important to:
• Provide machine-readable backup in case of failure of the RFID tag.• Provide those companies without RFID capabilities a means to capture the serialized
information via machine-readable methods.
Slide 28EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Rationale: Unique Identification
• No Solid Suggestion of HF or UHF RFID for Item-Level– UHF Gen2 standard is available now.– HF Version 2 standard scheduled for 3Q2007 with tags available later.– Until HF standard is completed and tags can be evaluated, premature
to make suggestion.
• 2-D Data Matrix barcode for Item-Level– Provides an alternative for RFID-challenged products (e.g., liquids,
biologics).– Current uncertainty in RFID Item-Level direction.– Effective use of available label space for small packaging.– Potential for compatibility with European (EFPIA) 2-D Data Matrix
barcoding initiatives.
Slide 29EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Rationale: Unique Identification
• Include human-readable text per GS1 standards and per recommendations on Slide 23.– If a Barcode data carrier is present as the sole data carrier, then human
readable text is highly recommended as a backup.• If possible, include the entire human-readable text string.• If that is not possible, then at minimum include the serial number portion of the string
(AI 21 or AI 00)—the GTIN can be derived from the packaging.
– If neither of the above are possible, then omit the human-readable text.
Slide 30EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Rationale: Unique Identification
• SSCC-18 barcode usage for Pallet, Tote, Case– Serial number portions of SSCC-18 and SSCC-96 are equivalent and
can be easily synchronized to the same value.– SSCC-18 has been used in many industries for many years, including
within HLS, to serialize various logistics units.
• 2-D Data Matrix barcode usage for Case level (Use Cases #3 and #5, exception-based)– Necessary due to the lack of label space on some smaller cases—the
GS1 Code 128 equivalent barcode would be below minimum GS1 specifications or physically would not fit.
– Usage of 2-D Data Matrix barcodes encoding on Cases should be minimized in Healthcare supply chain
• There are few image scanners to read these barcodes• There are no GS1 standards to support SSCC data encoded into Data Matrix at this
time.
Slide 31EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Pedigree:
Capability and Suggestions
Slide 32EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Capability: Pedigree(paraphrased from SB1476)
Summary of key language; NOT to be used as a substitute for the actual legislation.
• Means a Record, in Electronic Form,– Containing information regarding each transaction– Resulting in a change in ownership– From sale by manufacturer until final sale to a pharmacy or other dispense point.– Includes all information required by law
• Created / Maintained in an Interoperable Electronic System– Contained within a standardized non-proprietary data format and architecture– Uniformly used by manufacturers, wholesalers, pharmacies for the pedigree– Ensuring compatibility throughout all stages of distribution
• Tracked at the Smallest Packaging Level (see Serialization Suggestions)
• Certifying that the Pedigree Information is True and Correct– From a Responsible Party of the source– Under penalty of perjury
• Returns documented on same Pedigree as the receipt transaction
Ref: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/05-06/bill/sen/sb_1451-1500/sb_1476_bill_20060929_chaptered.pdf or http://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/laws_regs/lawbook.pdf
Slide 33EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Suggestions: Pedigree
• There are two Options to provide a Pedigree:– Option 1 – Drug Pedigree Messaging Standard
– Option 2 –Track and Trace
• Drug Pedigree Messaging Standard available now.– Software available today with EPCglobal certifications.
• Track and Trace in Requirements phase now.– Standards will follow at a later date.– Then software will be available.
• Further suggestions for choosing an Option cannot be provided until the following is completed for Track and Trace:– Requirements– Standards– Software designed and available which meets Standards
Update:Global Traceability Standard entering standards approval process
Slide 34EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Rationale: Pedigree
• Drug Pedigree Messaging Standard– The California Board of Pharmacy believes the standard meets
California’s electronic pedigree requirements.– However, additional work and amplification by the California
BOP and Industry may be needed.– In some cases, California regulations may be necessary to
provide the necessary amplification.
• Track and Trace– Being designed with flexibility to accommodate known
requirements from California and other jurisdictions.– As with Option 1, additional work and amplification may need to
be done by the California BOP, other jurisdictions, and Industry. In some cases regulations may be necessary to provide the necessary amplification.
At this time, the California Board of Pharmacy has no preference for either Option presented below, and the use of the terms ‘track and trace’ in the California SB1476 legislation is not intended to emphasize or endorse any particular option or technology.[Feedback from EPCglobal Pedigree Meeting with California Board of Pharmacy, Mar. 8, 2007]
Slide 35EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Rationale: Pedigree
• Interoperability between systems based on Pedigree Messaging Standard or Track and Trace must be addressed to prevent supply chain and pedigree disruptions.– It is likely that both Pedigree Messaging Standard and Track /
Trace will co-exist within the supply chain.– Therefore, any pedigree initiated under either approach must be
interoperable with both approaches for forward- and reverse-logistics.
– The following groups are tasked with documenting these requirements for inclusion into their work products / deliverables.
• EPCglobal Track and Trace Interest Group• EPCglobal Supply Chain Integrity Joint Requirements Group• GS1 Traceability in Healthcare Work Group
Slide 36EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Rationale: Pedigree
• Trading Partner coordination when a pedigree solution is implemented or changed will be necessary.– It is likely that trading partners will have some level of effort to complete
in order to use the information from a new pedigree solution.– Sufficient leadtime for trading partners to react should be planned and
built into the implementation timelines.– Closely coordinating these types of changes should minimize problems
for all parties.– Hierarchical shipment data including serial numbers and shipping
information must be communicated in advance to the customer (e.g., via pedigree, Rx ASN, Track and Trace or EPCIS transaction).
Slide 37EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Rationale: Pedigree
• Rx ASN (modified EDI Transaction Set 856, Advance Ship Notice) does not meet California requirements for pedigree.– Cannot support ‘certification under penalty of perjury’.– Does not exist in an ‘interoperable electronic system widely used…’– Does not meet requirement for ‘manufacturer-initiated pedigree’.
• Rx ASN’s could be used to facilitate supply chain transactions (receipts, shipments, etc.).– ASN’s support efficient receiving practices.– Use of ASN’s will not meet pedigree obligations for jurisdictions
requiring the pedigree in an ‘interoperable electronic system’.
Slide 38EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Action Steps
Slide 39EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Action Steps Overview
• This section expands upon the ‘Begin Vendor & Industry Adoption’ activity (see Slide 41).
• The reader will find resources available to facilitate implementation and adoption activities.
• Additional details can be found in the EPCglobal Cookbook (referenced in a following slide).
Slide 40EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Status of Standards and Related Work
Drug Pedigree Messaging Std
Item Level Tagging
Tag Data Standards
Serialization
Supply Chain Integrity
5 Track & Trace
6
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Privacy
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4 wks
IAG WG IAG WG/JRG TAG WG
6 wks
6 wks
5 Months 10 Months3 Months
Requirements Dev. Standards Development
4
3
2
1
Updated: July 13, 2007
Legend: Previous Progress Since March 2007
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Slide 41EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Begin Vendor and Industry Adoption(Activities may or may not be in parallel)
Vendor and Industry Adoption Activities
Process Re-
Engineering
CapitalPlanning
System Integration
Infrastructure Build-Out
Scale up&
Implement
EPCglobal Post-Ratification Activities
Create Test
Platform
Create Test Scripts
Create Test
Guidelines
RatifiedStandard
~~~~~~~~~~
Test andCertify
Softwareor Hardware
CertifiedSoftware orHardware
~~~~~~~~~~
Slide 42EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Key Standards and Other Resources
• EPCglobal– Standards are available at: http://www.epcglobalinc.org/standards/
– Drug Pedigree Messaging Standard– Tag Data Standard– Item Level Tagging Requirements Document– Gen2 Standard– EPCIS Standard– Track and Trace Interest Group Requirements (opt-in required)
http://www.epcglobalinc.org/apps/org/workgroup/hls_t_t_ig/index.php
– EPCglobal Cookbook • Provides information on how to phase implementations, activities required,
sequencing of activities, development of KPI’s and metrics, among other useful topics.http://www.epcglobalinc.org/what/cookbook
Slide 43EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Key Standards and Other Resources
• GS1– GS1 General Specifications (via your GS1 Member Organization)
http://www.gs1.org/productssolutions/barcodes/technical/genspecs/
– GS1 Serialization Team Requirements(work in progress; join at http://www.gs1.org/hug/Membership/ )
– GS1 GTIN Allocation Rules for Healthcare(http://www.gs1.org/docs/gsmp/HUG/HUG_GTIN_Allocation_i4.6.pdf )
• FDA– FDA Compliance Policy Guide, “Radiofrequency Identification
Feasibility Studies and Pilot Programs for Drugs”, Nov. 2004http://www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/counterfeit/rfid_cpg.html
– FDA Counterfeit Drug Task Force Report: 2006 Update, Jun. 2006http://www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/counterfeit/report6_06.pdf
Slide 44EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Key Standards and Other Resources
• HDMA– “Guidelines for Barcoding in the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain”,
December 2005 edition (available for purchase only)http://web1.hdma.net/shop/cgi-bin/shopper.exe?preadd=action&key=PUBS261
Slide 45EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Action StepsTypical Activities For All Trading Partners
• Engage with your Industry Trade Associations to ensure you have the most current information regarding policy and positions.
• Work with EPCglobal and GS1 groups to obtain standards, education, and to learn from others.
• Choose Serialization data carriers for every packaging level. (see Slide 23)
• Choose Pedigree Option and software. (see Slide 31)• Develop scale-up and rollout-plans for Serialization and Pedigree
(e.g., based on SKU counts or geographical rollout).• Work with all affected trading partners with sufficient leadtime on
Serialization and Pedigree choices and options to facilitate efficient supply chain operations.– See EPCglobal Public Policy Guidelines for Healthcare Industry.
• Convert operations to apply, commission and aggregate serial numbers.
Slide 46EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Action StepsTypical Activities For All Trading Partners
• Develop, implement, and adhere to effective Privacy standards to ensure appropriate use of these technologies.
• Install capability to transact serial numbers and serialized pedigrees—based on specific local regulatory requirements.
• Test serialized pedigree + serialized product final configurations with trading partners.
• Start shipping serialized and pedigreed products.– Pallet, Tote, Case, Item Serialization.– Transact a manufacturer-initiated pedigree.– With sufficient lead time to load the supply chain with serialized products
supported by a pedigree.
• Execute your Scale-Up / Rollout Plans.• Retain Pedigree data according to regulatory data retention
requirements.• Respond to requests for verification of Pedigree data.
Slide 47EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Summary and
Recommendations
Slide 48EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Summary• The Industry Adoption Task Force has taken the lead in
synthesizing available material into a coherent, forward-looking Roadmap which can be used by industry trade associations as a starting point in their discussions with their members.
• The Roadmap describes suggestions to meet the two Key Capabilities in a balanced yet effective manner.
– Pedigree– Unique Identification
• The Roadmap provides direction to help reconcile the varied interests of the diverse set of stakeholders toward common solutions.
• Providing trading partners with agreed-upon standards and suggestions for actions reduces complexity, barriers to adoption, and lowers overall costs for all participants.
Slide 49EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Recommendations
• EPCglobal Work Teams– Work with US Drug Enforcement Agency to resolve remaining
questions. [HLS Tri-Chairs / Co-Chairs]– Ensure that the EPCglobal HLS Track and Trace and Supply Chain
Integrity JRG groups address interoperability of Pedigree Options 1 and 2. [HLS Tri-Chairs / Co-Chairs and the two work groups]
– Work with industry to finalize User Memory requirements for HLS. [HLS Tri-Chairs / Co-Chairs and all HLS work groups]
Slide 50EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Recommendations
• GS1 Global Office– Enable interoperability of GS1 and EPCglobal data carriers to
common URN (Universal Resource Name) or equivalent. • Common software translation is required to ensure consistency of data captured
and stored within EPCIS network architectures• Interoperability between trading partners accessing shared data bases• Handling of GS1 Company Prefix in EPCIS when using a barcode—there is no
‘dot’ separator character as with an RFID data structure to delimit the variable-length GS1 Company Prefix
– Work with the various regulatory jurisdictions to resolve conflicting requirements for serialization and item identification (EFPIA, Japan, Belgium, Italy, California, France, others). Focus on EFPIA and US harmonization as a first priority.
– GS1 and EPCglobal to address remaining privacy concerns which will mitigate the need for NDC Masking practices for RFID data carriers.
– Continue support of the GDSN Healthcare Work Team to adapt and/or extend GDSN to support serialization and/or pedigree suggestions presented in the Roadmap.
Slide 51EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Recommendations
• GS1 Global Office– Work with industry and EDI standards groups to include flags in
the ASN (or Rx ASN) structure indicating which data carrier contains the serialized information (e.g., RFID or Barcode).
– Work with industry and EDI standards groups to prepare a standard for Rx ASN transaction set, including that Rx ASN should be considered as the means to exchange the serialized numbers and the serialized hierarchy between trading partners.
– Commission a study comparing UHF, HF, 2-D Data Matrix solutions (with and without Serialized Inference), to determine potential cost-effectiveness for each supply chain partner type.
• Supporting data needed for trading partners to decide on unique identification.
• Suggest study by Academic University, MIT Auto-ID, or independent group.
• Initial work by MIT can be found at:http://autoidlabs.org/single-view/dir/article/6/221/page.html
Slide 52EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Recommendations
• FDA– Provide test results to industry regarding impact of RF energy
on Biologics, at minimum on UHF and HF frequency ranges. -Initial testing for worst-case heating induced electric fields found at (http://www.rfidjournal.com/whitepapers/download/77)
-PQRI Paper describing test protocol and initial results: (http://www.pqri.org/pdfs/RFID_Report_to_FDA_23Mar2006.pdf)
– Determine next steps for Compliance Policy Guide, “Radiofrequency Identification Feasibility Studies and Pilot Programs for Drugs”, Nov. 2004.Document expires on 31-Dec-2007.
Slide 53EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Recommendations
• FDA– Work with industry to establish an on-going forum for discussion
and joint resolution of questions.– Need FDA guidance on what prevailing controls apply to
serialization (for example, is this GMP-related or subject to other controls).
– Need FDA guidance on standardized language or symbology indicating the presence of an RFID tag on a pharmaceutical product.
– Assess impacts of Proposed Rule to change NDC numbering scheme and process to allocate the NDC’s on SGTIN, GTIN, Pedigree, Track and Trace, and other key elements of this Roadmap.
– Need FDA guidance on regulatory filings required to apply RFID at item-level over the long-term (current CPG addresses pilot activities only, and does not include liquids or biologics).
Slide 54EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Recommendations
• FDA– Need FDA guidance on protecting Biologic products from
exposure to RF energy in RFID-enabled supply chains. Example: re-directing those products to avoid RFID tunnels, turning off RFID reader when Biologic products present in a reader field, etc.
– FDA Barcode Regulation may need to be updated to allow:• 2-D Data Matrix as alternative to linear barcode.• FDA did confirm with the IATF that there is no barrier to encoding a serial
number into the existing linear barcode, or applying an additional 2-D Data Matrix barcode for serialization, so long as:
– It does not affect readability of the NDC number encoded in the barcode.
– It does not cause the product to be misbranded.
Slide 55EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Recommendations
• HDMA– Update the HDMA Barcode Guidelines document with the
following suggestions; provides consistency to a widely-used industry based document:
• To reflect the RFID and barcode recommendations in this Roadmap. • To harmonize requirements with current GS1 and EPCglobal
standards, where there are meaningful differences.
Slide 56EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Recommendations
• Industry Trade Associations– Educate membership on standards and available resources.– Work with membership to develop positions and policy regarding
adoption.– Work with other Trade Associations to review policy, positions,
regulatory issues and/or guidance to minimize supply chain disruptions.– Engage additional participation from Generic, Biological, Secondary
Wholesaler industry trade associations and their members.– Work with key regulatory bodies on education and outreach;
communicate adoption policy and positions; identify areas for regulatory clarification and/or guidance.
– Work with GS1 and EPCglobal to globally harmonize requirements.– Actively engage with EPCglobal regarding standards.– Provide guidance to members on methods for prioritizing efforts.
Appendices
Slide 58EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 1Suggestions: Serialized Inference
Business Problem:• California SB1476 at Section 4034(b)(3) requires the “name and address of
each person certifying delivery or receipt”.• This ‘certification’ of item-level serial numbers presents new challenges:
– Line of sight technology would result in opening every case and scanning every item within, since the item serial numbers are not visible.
– Non-line of sight technology, if less than 100% of the items were read, would result in opening every case and scanning every item within.
– Opening cases at time of receipt introduces new risks, is time-consuming, and adds costs into supply chain operations.
One Potential Suggestion:• Inference is one of many mechanisms to enable trading partners to
leverage strong supply chain practices to meet these challenges.• Adoption of any solution to these challenges remains an individual
company decision.• The California BOP has scheduled working sessions with industry to better
understand these challenges. Regulatory guidance may result from these working sessions.
Slide 59EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 1Suggestions: Serialized Inference Definitions
• Infer (Inference): Conclude from evidence (Webster’s Dictionary).
• Working Definition: To infer the serialized number based on information provided by the upstream supply chain, reasonable inspection of the product, and application of the Serialized Inference Rule by the Shipping and Receiving partners.
• Serialized Inference Rule: The process a supply chain partner uses to ensure there is enough evidence to infer the serialized number without physically reading ALL serialized numbers. A Serialized Inference Rule should be defined for each packaging unit (e.g., pallet, case, item, etc.) for the key process steps of Commission/Aggregation, Ship, and Receipt.Enhance Patient Safety in the supply chain by allowing supply chain partners to leverage the good business practices initiated by manufacturers which are then continued through the supply chain by downstream trading partners.
Slide 60EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 1Suggestions: Serialized Inference
Assumes that each Trading Partner follows good business practices, such as:
• Good manufacturing and good distribution practices.• Documented controls and Standard Operating Procedures.• Captures quality metrics to minimize “defects” of inbound
and outbound product.• When process errors are detected, implements changes to
those processes to prevent future errors. • Processes are periodically reviewed for improvement
opportunities.
Slide 61EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 1Suggestions: Serialized Inference
To summarize, Serialized Inference is possible when the following conditions have been achieved:
• A collection (item, full or mixed case, tote, pallet, etc.) is present.• The collection is identified with a unique serial number, and each member
of the collection (item, case, tote, pallet) is also identified with a unique serial number.
• The receiving trading partner receives an electronic communication containing the serialized numbers and the hierarchical relationship of those serialized numbers within the collection.
• The receiving trading partner must have assurance that the collection has remained intact since leaving the last trading partner.
– If the receiving trading partner has reason to believe that the collection has not remained intact since leaving the last trading partner, then inference should not be used.
These inference suggestions are intended to provide each trading partner with an understanding of how inference can be used by all the various supply chain participants. The application of inference remains an individual business decision.
Slide 62EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 1Suggestions: Serialized Inference
Serialized Inference Scenarios:
• Single Item Commission– Apply serial number to one single Item.
• Item into Case Commission/Aggregation– Apply serial number to Case and build item-to-case hierarchy.
• Case to Pallet Commission/Aggregation– Apply serial number to a homogenous pallet comprised of Cases of all one
product and build case-to-pallet hierarchy.– May be a full pallet or a partial pallet.
• Tote or Mixed Case Commission/Aggregation– Apply serial number to Case or Tote containing either a mixture of SKU’s or
1 or more items of a single SKU, and build item-to-case hierarchy. Typically conducted as part of a pick/pack/ship operation.
• Mixed Pallet Commission/Aggregation– Apply serial number to Pallet of mixed Cases or Totes, and build case-to-
pallet or tote-to-pallet hierarchy. Pallet could contain mixed cases and/or full cases. The full cases could be from one product or from multiple products.
Designed for transactions between trading partners, however can be applied to intra-company transactions as well.
Slide 63EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 1Suggestions: Serialized Inference
Serialized Inference Scenarios:
• Shipments– Single Item Shipment (one single item shipped)– Case Shipment (all one item)– Tote or Mixed Case Shipment (One or more items or mixed items,
typically part of a pick/pack/ship operation)– Pallet Shipment (all one item on a pallet)– Mixed Pallet Shipment (mixed items on a pallet)
• Receipts– Single Item Receipt (one single item received)– Case Receipt (all one item)– Tote or Mixed Case Receipt (One or more items or mixed items,
typically conducted as part of a pick/pack/ship operation)– Pallet Receipt (all one item on a pallet)– Mixed Pallet Receipt (mixed items on a pallet)
Designed for transactions between trading partners, however can be applied to intra-company transactions as well.
Shipments and Receipts of pallet, case, mixed case, and tote assumes the hierarchy and packaging integrity remained intact from the Commission/Aggregation process.
Slide 64EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 1Serialized Inference Rules: Commission/Aggregation
Use Case Scenario ManufacturerInference
WholesalerInference
Retailer DCInference
Pharmacy Inference
Single Item Commission Read - I NA NA NA
Item into Case Commission/Aggregation
Read - I NA NA NA
Case to Pallet Commission/Aggregation
Read - CInfer - I
NA NA NA
Tote or Mixed Case Commission/Aggregation
Read - I Read -I NA NA
Mixed Pallet Commission/Aggregation
Read – C,TInfer - I
Read - C,TInfer - I
NA NA
Key: “P” Pallet “C” Case “T” Tote or Mixed Case “I”- ItemAssumes
Aggregationhas Occurred
Slide 65EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 1 Serialized Inference Rules: Shipments
Use Case Scenario ManufacturerInference
WholesalerInference
Retailer DCInference
PharmacyInference
Single Item Shipment Read - I Read - I NA NA
Case Shipment Read - CInfer - I
Read - CInfer - I
NA NA
Tote or Mixed Case Shipment Read - C,TInfer - I
Read - C,TInfer - I
NA NA
Pallet Shipment Read - PInfer - C, I
Read - PInfer -C, I
NA NA
Mixed Pallet Shipment Read - PInfer - C, T, I
Read - PInfer - C, T, I,
NA NA
Key: “P” Pallet “C” Case “T” Tote or Mixed Case “I”- Item AssumesAggregation
has Occurred
Slide 66EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 1 Serialized Inference Rules: Receipts
Use Case Scenario ManufacturerInference
WholesalerInference
Retailer DCInference
PharmacyInference
Single Item Receipt Read - I Read - I Read - I Read - I
Case Receipt Read - CInfer - I
Read - CInfer - I
Read - CInfer - I
Read - CInfer - I
Tote or Mixed Case Receipt Read - C,TInfer - I
Read - C,TInfer - I
Read - C,TInfer - I
Read - C,TInfer - I
Pallet Receipt Read – PInfer - C,I
Read - P Infer - C,I
Read - P Infer - C,I
NA
Mixed Pallet Receipt Read – PInfer – C,T,I
Read - P Infer – C,T,I
Read - P Infer – C,T,I
NA
Key: “P” Pallet “C” Case “T” Tote or Mixed Case “I”- ItemAssumes
Aggregationhas Occurred
Slide 67EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 1 Serialized Inference Rules:
Recalls, Returns, Reverse LogisticsUse Case Scenario Manufacturer
InferenceWholesalerInference
Retailer DCInference
PharmacyInference
Single Item Receipt/Shipment Read - I Read - I Read - I Read - I
Case Receipt/Shipment Read - CInfer - I
Read - CInfer - I
Read - CInfer - I
Read - CInfer - I
Tote or Mixed Case Receipt/Shipment
Read - C,TInfer - I
Read - C,TInfer - I
Read - C,TInfer - I
Read - C,TInfer - I
Pallet Receipt/Shipment Read - PInfer - C,I
Read - PInfer - C,I
Read - PInfer - C,I
NA
Mixed Pallet Receipt/Shipment Read - PInfer - C,T,I
Read - PInfer - C,T,I
Read - PInfer - C,T,I
NA
Key: “P” Pallet “C” Case “T” Tote or Mixed Case “I”- Item AssumesAggregation
has Occurred
Slide 68EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 1 Serialized Inference Rules: Repacking
Use Case Scenario AggregationInference
ShippingInference
ReceivingInference
Single Item Read - I NA NA
Case Read - I Read – CInfer – I
Read – CInfer - I
Tote or Mixed Case Read - I Read – C,TInfer - I
Read – C,TInfer - I
Pallet Read - CInfer - I
Read - P Infer - C,I
Read - P Infer - C,I
Mixed Pallet Read - C,TInfer - I
Read - P Infer - C,T,I
Read - P Infer - C,T,I
Assumes repackers will receive serialized product, then serialize outbound product, and retain the linkage between inbound and outbound serial numbers (if different or changed).
Key: “P” Pallet “C” Case “T” Tote or Mixed Case “I”- Item AssumesAggregation
has Occurred
Slide 69EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 2Suggestions: NDC Masking
• NDC Masking is an optional, interim method to address privacy concerns until a fully ratified GS1 and/or EPCglobal numbering and serialization standard or guideline is available.
• This method applies only to RFID and other technologies that do not rely on line-of-sight scanning.
– NDC Masking does not apply to barcodes.• Also consider that NDC Masking may alert others that this product
is ‘sensitive’ and therefore may draw unwanted additional attention.• Process to mask an NDC in the SGTIN format:
– Set the Item Reference equal to all zeros.– Ensure for all items using a masked NDC that the serial numbers are unique
across all of those product SKU’s within a single GS1 Company Prefix (the Item Reference is no longer part of the key since it equals all zeros for those products).
– All other elements of the SGTIN remain unchanged.– An example is shown on the following slide.
NOTE:NDC Masking is NOT recommended practice and does not comply with GS1 standards. This slide recognizes that the practice does occur and seeks to avoid multiple methods in deploying the practice
Slide 70EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 2Suggestions: NDC Masking
Illustration of NDC Masking at the Item Level
GS1 Company Prefix
Item ReferenceData Format Indicator Digit
Country Code
Labeler Code
NDC ------ --------
0001 1234 98
GTIN 0 03 0001 1234 98 3SGTIN ------ 03 0001 0 1234 98 _mSGTIN(masked NDC)
------ 03 0001 0 0000 00 _(Item Reference = zeros)Notes:
a. Packaging Level Indicator changes position in SGTIN.
b. Check Digit is omitted in SGTIN.
CheckDigit Omitted
This is NOT recommended and does not meet GS1 Stds
Slide 71EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 3Suggestions: RFID and Barcode Co-Existence
Why Suggestions are Needed:• To avoid the assignment of more than one unique serial number on
a single packaging level, when multiple data carriers are used.• Tracking more than one unique serial number on a single
packaging level creates unnecessary complications and increases the chances for errors by all trading partners.
• There are differences in the serialization schema in the various standards which must be understood to ensure that the serial numbers are synchronized across the data carriers.
• Emphasize that information systems must be capable of handling the entire 20-digit alphanumeric AI(21) serial number range.– This range will be encountered in AI(21) barcode applications today.– When SGTIN-198 is adopted, will encounter this range for RFID as
well.• Shows placement of AI(21) barcode in similar location as SSCC-18
barcode would have been placed to facilitate physical handling.Update:Parsing is the main barrier to coexistence and is being resolved
Slide 72EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 3Suggestions: RFID and Barcode Co-Existence
SSCC-96030001..5 12345678901234567890
SGTIN-96030001. . 2 123498. 123456789012. 123456789012
SSCC-18(00)5 030001 12345678901234567890 3
AI(01) AI(21)(01) 2 030001 123498 7 (21)123456789012123456789012
This table is intended to illustrate synchronizing serial numbers between RFID and Barcode data carriers. It is NOT intended as guidance on choosing data carriers.
EPC Mgr ID Extension Digit (5)+Serial Number
Serial Number+ Check Digit (3)
Extension Digit (5)+EPC Mgr ID
Serial Number
Serial NumberEPC Mgr IDIndicator Digit (2)+Item Reference
Indicator Digit (2)+EPC Mgr ID Item Reference
+ Check Digit (7)
RF
IDR
FID
Bar
cod
esB
arco
des
Note: Data is for illustration only; see GS1 Standards for usage
Slide 73EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 3Suggestions: RFID and Barcode Co-Existence
Single-SKU Case with AI(21)
Std. Placement
Mixed Case/Tote/Pallet with SSCC
RFID Tags shown are for illustration and do not imply an endorsement of any particular supplier.
Slide 74EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 3Suggestions: RFID and Barcode Co-Existence
Item-Level Label with SGTIN-96 RFID Tag + Data Matrix Barcode
RFID Tags shown are for illustration and do not imply an endorsement of any particular supplier.
Slide 75EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 3Suggestions: RFID and Barcode Co-Existence
• AI(00) SSCC (Serialized Shipping Container Code)– The RFID and Barcode SSCC serial number ranges are
compatible in current GS1 and EPCglobal standards.– Suggestion: When both RFID and Barcodes are used for SSCC
serialization on a single packaging level, synchronize the SSCC serial numbers (both serial numbers equal).
Slide 76EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 3Suggestions: RFID and Barcode Co-Existence
• AI(21) Serial Number as Backup for RFID SGTIN– AI(21) serial number range is 20 digits alphanumeric.– SGTIN-96 serial number range is limited to:
• 0 through 274,877,906,943 (inclusive), numeric-only, no leading zeros allowed (unless the entire serial number consists of a single zero).
• This limitation is resolved with SGTIN-198, which encodes the full range of AI(21) values.
– Suggestion: When AI(21) is used as a backup for SGTIN-96 serial numbers:
• Synchronize the RFID and Barcode serial numbers (both serial numbers equal).
• This is accomplished by limiting the range of the AI(21) serial numbers to correspond with the SGTIN-96 range in this particular situation.
– Suggestion: When AI(21) is used without RFID tag, the full range of 20-digit alphanumeric values may be used.
Slide 77EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 4Definitions
• AI (Application Identifier)– The field of two or more characters at the beginning of an Element
String that uniquely defines its format and meaning. (adopted from GS1 General Specifications, v7.1)
– Commonly used AI’s in healthcare include:• AI(00) SSCC• AI(01) GTIN• AI(10) Lot/Batch• AI(17) Expiry• AI(21) Serial Number• AI(30) Quantity
Slide 78EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 4Definitions
• ASN (Advance Ship Notice)– Advanced Shipping Notice. This is a type of EDI transaction
(transaction code 856). The ASN contains information regarding a specific shipment of product from a seller to a buyer and is transmitted prior to the arrival of the shipment. The fields, data and level of granularity (shipment, pallet, case, etc.) is determined by the trading partners. (adopted from Drug Pedigree Messaging Ratified Standard, V1.0)
• Data Matrix Barcode (for serialization)– A standalone, two-dimensional matrix symbology that is made up of
square modules arranged within a perimeter finder pattern. Data Matrix ISO version ECC 200 is the only version that supports GS1 System identification numbers, including Function Code 1. Data Matrix Symbols are read by two-dimensional imaging scanners or vision systems. (adopted from GS1 US Glossary, v6.0)
Slide 79EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 4Definitions
• Drug Pedigree– A record of each distribution of a prescription drug from the sale by a
Manufacturer through acquisition and sale by any Wholesale Distributor until final sale to a Pharmacy or other authorized person administering or dispensing the Prescription Drug. (adopted from Drug Pedigree Messaging Ratified Standard, V1.0)
• ECC200– Data Matrix ISO version ECC 200. See Data Matrix Barcode definition.
• EDI– Electronic Data Interchange
• Electronic Pedigree– An electronic record containing all data and information required by one
or more pedigree laws including the necessary certifications. (adopted from Drug Pedigree Messaging Ratified Standard, V1.0)
Slide 80EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 4Definitions
• EPC (Electronic Product Code)– An identification scheme for universally identifying physical objects (e.g.
trade items, assets, and locations) via RFID tags and other means. The standardized EPC data consists of an EPC (or EPC Identifier) that uniquely identifies an individual object, as well as an optional Filter Value when judged to be necessary to enable effective and efficient reading of the EPC tags. (adopted from GS1 General Specifications, v7.1)
• Gen2 (Generation 2)– Refers to EPCglobal Class 1 (base class) passive-backscatter, radio-
frequency identification (RFID) system operating in the UHF 860 MHz – 960 MHz frequency range. (adopted from EPCglobal Gen2 Standard, Version 1.0.9).
• GTIN (Global Trade Item Number)– The GS1 Identification Key used to identify trade items. The key is
comprised of a GS1 or U.P.C. Company Prefix followed by an Item Reference Number and a Check Digit. (adopted from GS1 General Specifications, v7.1)
Slide 81EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 4Definitions
• HF (High Frequency)– Refers to current ISO or future EPCglobal radio-frequency identification
(RFID) system operating in the HF 3 MHz – 30 MHz frequency range, typically at 13.56 MHz for HLS applications. (IATF Definition).
• HLS– Health and Life Sciences industry. (IATF Definition)
• IATF– EPCglobal HLS Industry Adoption Task Force. (IATF Definition)
Slide 82EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 4Definitions
• (Serialized) Inference Rule– The process a supply chain partner uses to ensure there is enough
evidence to infer the serialized number without physically reading ALL serialized numbers. A Serialized Inference Rule should be defined for each packaging unit (e.g., pallet, case, item, etc.) for Aggregation, Shipping and Receiving processes. (IATF Definition)
• Item Reference– The part of the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) allocated by the user
to identify a trade item for a given GS1 Company Prefix. (adopted from GS1 US Glossary, v6.0)
• NDC (National Drug Code, US)– A 10-digit number that must be assigned to pharmaceuticals sold in the
USA per federal law. The number comprises a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) assigned Labeler Code and manufacturer assigned Product ID and SKU/Trade Pack Size number. An NDC may be represented within a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). (adopted from GS1 US Glossary, v6.0)
Slide 83EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 4Definitions
• NDC Masking– The process of replacing the Item Reference portion of the SGTIN with
zeros to avoid divulging the underlying NDC number. (IATF Definition)• RFID
– A data carrier technology that transmits information via signals in the radio frequency portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. A Radio Frequency Identification system consists of an antenna and a transceiver, which read the radio frequency and transfer the information to a processing device, and a transponder, or tag, which is an integrated circuit containing the radio frequency circuitry and information to be transmitted. (GS1 US Glossary, Version 6.0)
• Rx ASN (Prescription Advance Ship Notice)– A non-standard, trading partner-specific EDI ASN transaction set
(based on EDI 856 transaction set) incorporating additional information (such as Lot, Expiry, Rx Drug Serial Number, License Numbers) helpful in facilitating receiving, shipping, and other logistics processes for Rx drug products. The Rx ASN is one of the means to exchange the Rx Drug serialized numbers and the serialized hierarchy between trading partners. (IATF Definition)
Slide 84EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 4Definitions
• Serialization– Schema, processes, and controls for assignment of serial numbers to
items. (IATF Definition)• Serialized Inference
– To infer the serialized number based on information provided by the up-stream supply chain, reasonable inspection of the product, and application of the Serialized Inference Rule by the Shipping and Receiving partners. (IATF Definition)
• Serial Number– A code, numeric or alphanumeric, assigned to an individual instance of
an entity for its lifetime.• Example: Microscope model AC-2 with serial number 1234568 and
microscope model AC-2 with serial number 1234569.– A unique individual item may be identified with the combined Global
Trade Item Number (GTIN) and serial number.– Specific instance of the Object Class being tagged.– (Adopted from GS1 General Specifications, v7.1)
Slide 85EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 4Definitions
• SGTIN (Serialized Global Trade Item Number)– To create a unique identifier for individual objects, the GTIN is
augmented with a serial number, which the managing entity is responsible for assigning uniquely to individual object classes. The combination of GTIN and a unique serial number is called a Serialized GTIN (SGTIN).
– The SGTIN consists of the following information elements: • The Company Prefix, assigned by GS1 to a managing entity. The Company
Prefix is the same as the Company Prefix digits within a GS1 GTIN decimal code.
• The Item Reference + Indicator Digit, consisting of the GTIN’s Item Reference prepended by GTIN Indicator Digit. The Item Reference and Indicator Digits are assigned by the managing entity to a particular object class.
• The Serial Number, assigned by the managing entity to an individual object. The serial number is not part of the GTIN code, but is formally a part of the SGTIN.
– (Adapted from EPCglobal Tag Data Standards Version 1.3, Ratified Specification).
Slide 86EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 4Definitions
• SKU (Stock Keeping Unit)– An individual color, flavor, size, or pack of a product that requires a
separate identification number to distinguish it from other items (a measure of an item of merchandise for inventory management). In inventory control and identification systems, it represents the smallest unit for which sales and stock records are maintained. (adopted from GS1 US Glossary, v6.0)
• SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code)– The GS1 Identification Key used to identify logistics units. The key is
comprised of GS1 Company Prefix, Extension Digit, Serial Reference, and Check Digit. (adopted from GS1 General Specifications, v7.1)
Slide 87EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 4Definitions
• Trace– The capability to identify the historical locations, the records of
ownership, and the packaging hierarchy for a particular traceable item. “Trace” answers questions such as “where has the item been”, “who has previously owned the item”, and “in what packaging hierarchy did the product exist at various locations”. The EPCglobal Pedigree Messaging Standard v1.0 is one example of a Trace mechanism.(IATF Working Definition)
• Track– The capability to identify the current (and at time of shipment the
intended future) location, ownership, and packaging hierarchy of a traceable item through the supply chain as it moves between parties. (based on GS1 Traceability Standard).
– “Track” addresses both forward- and reverse-logistics operations. “Track” answers questions such as “where is the item currently”, “who is the next intended recipient”, and “what is the current packaging hierarchy of this item”. (explanatory information added by IATF)
Slide 88EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 4Definitions
• Track and Trace– The combined capabilities of “Track” and “Trace” as previously defined.
Addresses both forward- and reverse-logistics operations.(IATF Working Definition)
• UHF (Ultra High Frequency)– See Gen2 definition.
• Unique Identification– See definitions for Serial Number and Serialization.
Slide 89EPCglobal Confidential and Proprietary
Appendix 5Industry Associations Providing Comments
• NACDS: National Association of Chain Drug Stores• HDMA: Healthcare Distribution Management Association• PhRMA: Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America• GPhA: Generic Pharmaceutical Association• BIO: Biotechnology Industry Organization• NCPA: National Community Pharmacists Association• CPhA: California Pharmacists Association• GS1• EPCglobal• On-Track (Accenture-led cross-functional industry pilot)