FDA proposes bar code technology on drug labels - Policy Watch - certain human drug product labels and biological product labels will need bar codes, according to an FDA proposal - Brief Article

Healthcare Financial Management, May, 2003

Certain human drug product labels and biological product labels will be required to have bar codes, according to a new rule proposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to the FDA, this technology would reduce medication errors in health facilities. The proposed rule, published in the March 14, 2003, Federal Register, applies to all prescription drug products, including biological products, vaccines (except for physician samples), and other over-the-counter drugs that are frequently used in hospitals.

Standard bar codes would also be required on prescription drug products used in other settings, such as retail pharmacies. The bar code would contain the National Drug Code number, which would facilitate finding unique identifying information about the drug.