Pharmacy robotics spot medicines barcode duplication error 

A barcode error affecting several medicines manufactured by Relonchem has been identified after being flagged by a pharmacy using robotic dispensing technology.

The identification of the error has led to a medicines defect notification by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

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The defect involves duplicate Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) – the unique numerical identifiers found beneath barcodes and used worldwide to distinguish products – which were incorrectly assigned to certain Losartan potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide tablets.

A separate error also saw a duplicate European Article Number (EAN) assigned to Risperidone 0.5mg tablets (Almus livery).

According to the MHRA alert, a pharmacy using robotic dispensing reported that barcodes on Losartan potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide 50mg/12.5mg and 100mg/25mg coated tablets were the same as those on Losartan potassium 50mg and 100mg coated tablets respectively.

Relonchem confirmed that while the barcodes were duplicated, all other product details – including name, strength, and pharmaceutical form – are correct, and medicine quality is not affected. The issue has not prompted a product recall.

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The affected batches are:

• Losartan potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide 50mg/12.5mg coated tablets: batches NG4001, NG4002, NG5001
• Losartan potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide 100mg/25mg coated tablets: batches NH4001, NH4002, NH5001
• Risperidone 0.5mg tablets (Almus livery): batch 151061

The MHRA advised healthcare professionals to use caution with automated systems, as the duplicated barcodes may cause robotic or stocking errors.

Pharmacists are recommended to switch to manual dispensing where affected stock is held and inform Relonchem if products cannot be used safely in automation.

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The manufacturer has confirmed that stock will be marketed until 30 Nov 2025 and all new batches marketed after this date will be packed with the new GTIN barcodes

In total, around 132 units of Losartan potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide 50mg/12.5mg and 4,780 units of Losartan potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide 100mg/25mg are expected to remain in circulation until updated packaging is rolled out.