Study on the Introduction Rate of Barcode-containing PTP Sheets and Evaluation of their Efficacy

Abstract

A barcode is printed on all injectable drugs, but not necessarily printed on other drugs. We compared the error rate for the dispensing support system of injectable drugs with that of oral drugs, and determined the introduction rate of barcode printing for oral drugs and external medicine. Using the dispensing support system, error rate was determined to be 0.0034% for oral drugs, while no error was detected in 348,514 prescriptions of injectable drugs. The results of the survey of pharmaceutical companies revealed that the rate at which the barcode was already printed or was proposed to be printed was 39%.The reasons for the lack of printing of the barcode for oral drugs were waiting for governmental regulation (41%), pharmaceutical company circles concerted action (23%), cost and lack of facilities (20%). It was thought that cooperation among pharmaceutical companies, administration and medical institutions is essential for introducing barcode printing of dispensing packages on all oral drugs and external medicine.