| In the medical industry, bar code labels and | | | | need your own bar code. |
| product labels are strictly controlled. As a | | | | There are very few exemptions to this rule. You |
| distributor, you want to make sure you are in | | | | may think that a small product that contains only |
| compliance with these regulations, or it could | | | | a tiny amount of actual pharmaceuticals may be |
| mean big trouble for your business. | | | | alright without such stringent practices, but even |
| The FDA puts the burden of bar code labels and | | | | the most common over the counter products |
| product labels on manufacturers and distributors, | | | | should be labeled. |
| rather than hospitals. They have no responsibility | | | | What Is "Commonly Used In Hospitals"? |
| to do that. This article tells you what you need to | | | | Prescriptions drugs all must be bar coded. |
| know about bar coding your medical and | | | | However, not all over the counter drugs need |
| pharmaceutical products. | | | | one. As stated above, only over the counter |
| According to the FDA, every medical or biological | | | | medications that are commonly used in hospitals |
| product must have a bar code with its National | | | | are required to have a bar code. But, how do you |
| Drug Code number on it. The National Drug Code | | | | determine if your product meets this criteria? |
| is also referred to as the NDC. Your product | | | | Of course, you know who is using your product. |
| needs to have this number on it if it is a drug, | | | | If your orders are going out to hospitals, you |
| pharmaceutical, biological product, or in some | | | | know you need one. But what about small clinics |
| cases even things such as herbal remedies, | | | | or nursing homes? The FDA has specific guidelines |
| suppositories and other common daily-use | | | | that determine what is or isn't a hospital. Leave it |
| products. | | | | up to them to decide that. In general, it is any |
| Who Needs A Bar Code | | | | institution that offers medical, treatment or |
| If you sell any kind of drug, whether prescription | | | | diagnostic services, but this definition can also |
| or over-the-counter, that is commonly used in | | | | include nursing services as well. You can always |
| hospitals, you are required to put a bar code on | | | | check with the institution you are selling your |
| that product. This goes also for any kind of | | | | products to, and ask them if they are technically |
| biological product. Even if you are simply a small | | | | considered a hospital. Their order paperwork will |
| distributor, repackager or re-labeler. | | | | probably indicate this. |
| There is an exception - if you are a distributor | | | | Once you know what you need, any adhesive |
| who doesn't do anything at all to the drug, you | | | | label or product label company can print your bar |
| don't need a bar code. This means simply | | | | codes for you. Once you've got the information |
| repackaging the product requires a bar code. But, | | | | sorted out, it's just a matter of making the order |
| if it simply passes through your hands without | | | | and affixing the labels. |
| you altering the product in any way, you don't | | | | |