Concerns raised over 2D barcodes missing from medicines packaging

Pharmacy staff have raised concerns that 2D barcodes are no longer being printed on all medicines destined for the UK supply chain, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) says.

They have also reported that there is no assurance or process that verifies whether the information on the barcode is accurate – this includes ensuring that Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) are not reused and that the product is represented accurately by the barcode.

The GTIN is a unique, internationally recognised number encoded in the barcode that is used to identify a specific product. When a barcode is scanned the GTIN pulls up the correct information about that exact medicine.

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The RPS has called for mandatory 2D barcodes to be included on all medicines packs, in a position statement issued on 18 February 2026.

It also said that providers need to implement contingency plans for managing medicines packs without barcodes. These could include manual verification or expiry checks.

Since the UK lefts the EU in 2020, the European Union's Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) – which required manufacturers to include unique identifiers (like GTINs within 2D barcodes) on medicines packaging – no longer applies in Great Britain.

Since the implementation of the Windsor Framework in January 2025, the inclusion of a two-dimensional (2D) barcode on medicine packaging has become optional. As a result, a growing number of packs do not have 2D barcodes.

This means that ‘critical data’ is lost such as product identifiers, batch numbers, and expiry dates.

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The RPS said in its position statement: ‘Barcode errors, duplication or absence can lead to the wrong medicine or wrong dose reaching patients, with potentially fatal consequences.

‘Barcode errors and missing 2D barcodes are causing critical patient safety risks and have led to multiple Class 4 Medicines Defect Notifications being issued by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in 2025.’

For example, several batches of Fexofenadine Hydrochloride 120mg film-coated tablets were recalled in August 2025 due to a barcode error; and a medicines defect notification was issued in October 2025 for various Relonchem Ltd products that were assigned duplicate GTIN numbers.

Barcodes will also become increasingly important as automation and robotics are adopted by the sector, and as healthcare transitions from analogue to digital systems, the RPS added.

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It said: ‘The lack of 2D barcodes is causing disruption to robotic dispensing and supply, stock management and closed loop medicine administration processes affecting patient safety, interoperability and operational efficiencies.’

Pharmacists and others can report issues with barcodes by completing this form.