Product and Organizational Identifier Standards Recommended
The Healthcare Supply Chain Standards Coalition has endorsed standardization (pdf) of both product and organizational identifiers from GS1. GS1 is an international agency committed to the design and implementation of standards for the supply chain, as stated in the press release from the Coalition.
Almost thirty organizations from across the spectrum of the healthcare supply chain are members of the Standards Coalition. The group plans to implement GS1’s Global Location Number (GLN) as an organizational identification tool, as well as the Global Trade Identification Number (GTIN) to identify products.
Implementation of a universal system will allow all participants across the supply chain the ability to readily identify products in the same manner. This approach can significantly improve efficiency across the supply chain, as well as reduce the likelihood of errors, inaccuracy, and waste.
The decision was reached over the course of a yearlong evaluation by the Standards Coalition. As part of this effort, a survey was completed by a diverse pool of industry partners. Almost 70 percent of the 129 respondents noted that they intended to implement a universal organizational identifier. Of those, almost two-thirds were planning to incorporate the GLN from GS1.
Current efforts by the Standards Coalition include a re-evaluation of the GS1 system to ensure that it suits all the needs of the healthcare supply chain. They are additionally requesting that GS1’s existing Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) provide the platform for registering, validating, disseminating, and synchronizing information about products. The Coalition is also developing implementation plans that can be used by supply chain members.
October 25, 2007 Related topics: Facilities, Partnerships & Consortia, Standardization