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Canadian Pharmaceutical
Bar Coding Project
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Designing a National Strategy for Healthcare
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In an effort to increase medication safety, members of the healthcare industry are collaborating to implement standardized bar codes on pharmaceutical products which have been approved for use in Canada. Headed jointly by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada (ISMP Canada) and the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI), this national initiative is guided by an advisory Implementation Committee with technical requirements developed with assistance from a Technical Task Force (TTF), representing six identified healthcare sectors.
Our Canadian project and the concept of a national standard for medication bar coding practice is being endorsed by a large number of health practice organizations within Canada, and the support is growing. Read support statements like this, in our endorsement section.
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In 2012, the multiphase project updated and issued technical bar code (automated Identification) requirements for Canadian pharmaceuticals, based on the GS1 global automated identification standard. The recommendations define bar code use across all Canadian health sectors in the following areas:
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Minimally-required medication information contained within bar code and allowable bar code types
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Standardized database elements for medication product descriptors
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Which medications are to be bar coded, and at what packaging levels
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Additional bar code requirements and recommendations to Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
Plus,
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Minimum Software Functionality for patient care computer system and automation
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Guidelines to the pharmaceutical industry for bar code placement on product labels
The current recommendations are contained in a document is entitled "Joint Technical Statement on Canadian Pharmaceutical Automated Identification and Product Data Requirements". (Version II: 2012)
For further project information, including our current status, see our project description page.
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About the Project
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Designing a National Strategy for Healthcare
In an effort to increase patient safety, members of the healthcare industry are collaborating to implement standardized bar codes on all aspects of
pharmaceutical labelling.
Headed jointly by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada (ISMP Canada) and the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI), the initiative is guided
by a national Implementation Committee and being developed with assistance
from a 34-member Technical Task Force (TTF), representing six identified healthcare sectors.

- GS1 Canada Technical Support
ISMP Canada and CPSI jointly endorsed the adoption of the GS1 global standard for automated identification (e.g., bar coding) of pharmaceutical products in Canada.
The multiphase project has developed draft technical requirements for Canadian pharmaceuticals in the following areas: bar code components and symbologies, product database elements, medications to be included in the categories to be bar coded, and packaging levels and bar code placement.

- Joint Technical Statement
Current commercial pharmaceutical automated identification (bar code) technical recommendations, based on the pan-Canadian adoption of the GS1 global standard, are contained in the "Joint Technical Statement on Pharmaceutical Automated Identification and Product Database Requirements". This document was updated and re-issued as Version II; 2012 in February 2012.

- Resource Guide
Healthcare practice guidance related to the acquisition and incorporation of medication bar code systems into patient care operations are found in the Medication Bar Code System Implementation Planning: A Resource Guide, issued October 2013.
Collaborating Health Sectors:
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
- Retail Pharmacies
- Institutional Pharmacies
- Professional Practice Organizations
- Healthcare Solution Providers
- Supply Chain and Public Purchasing Organizations
CURRENT PROJECT ACTIVITIES
Phase III: Dissemination and Stakeholder Engagement
- To identify and contact stakeholders in all Canadian health sectors.
- To assure they are aware of the Joint Technical Statement, and to seek their support.
- To affect knowledge transfer to all healthcare workers in each sector, and the public.
- To continue the collaborative environment to promote medication safety through automated practice integration using bar coding.
- To develop a sustainability strategy to assure the long-term adoption of the Joint Technical Statement components.
Phase IV: Implementation Progress
- Promote Pharmaceutical Manufacturer and Health Technology Provider uptake
- Promote professional practice and safety and practice organizations' support
- Collaborate with public Group Purchasing Organizations' for contracting support
- Provide guidelines for the placement of bar codes on pharmaceutical labels
- To develop end-user bar code implementation resources
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FINANCIAL SUPPORT HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY:
- Medbuy Corporation
- HealthPRO Procurement Services Inc
- Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC)
- Baxter Corporation
- Pharmaceutical Partners of Canada Inc (PPC)
- AstraZeneca Canada Inc
- Eli Lilly Canada Inc
- Healthmark
- McKesson Canada
- Pfizer Canada Inc
- Sandoz Canada Inc
- Sanofi Canada Inc
- TEVA Novopharm Ltd
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The following organizations are members of the Implementation Advisory Committee for the project:
- Canada Health Infoway
- Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies
- Canadian Association for Pharmacy Distribution Management
- Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores
- Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association
- Canadian Patient Safety Institute
- Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists
- Group Purchasing Organization Alliance (currently includes Approvisionnement-Montréal, HealthPRO, and Medbuy Corporation)
- GS1 Canada
- Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada
- Public Health Agency of Canada
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Medication Bar Code System Implementation Planning - A Resource Guide
The Resource Guide is provided in two formats below. The first is a download of the entire 200-page guide (4.7 MB) with internal links to assist the reader in moving about the document. The other is a section-by-section option with limited linking between the sections.
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Full Resource Guide
Download: Full Resource Guide
Includes:
Introduction, Précis, Sections I-V
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Section-by-Section Option
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Introduction
Download: Introduction of the Resource Guide
Includes:
Foreword, About the Project, Guide Testimonials from Canadian Leaders, Linkable Table of Contects, and Executive Summary ....
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Précis
Download: Précis of the Resource Guide
The "Document Précis" section summarizes the main content of the document, in bullet format.
Refer to the complete sections in the body of the document for cited references and additional detail.
Direct links to additional detail are provided beside each major section title to assist the reader.
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Section I - A Bar Code Primer for Leaders
Download: Section I of the Resource Guide
Section I provides a simplified explanation of Automated Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) and the GS1
global AIDC standard, the uses and limitations of selected bar code types within the GS1 standard, and how bar
codes can be used within healthcare to safely verify medications and accurately document health care
practices.
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Section II - Building the Case for Automated Identification of Medications
Download: Section II of the Resource Guide
The Value of Bar Code Systems in Reducing Preventable Medication Errors
Section II provides a rationale for utilizing automated medication verification at various stages of the medication-use process. It offers a basis for understanding the problem of preventable medication errors,
human accuracy issues related to routine but important medication-use functions, and the principles of
enhanced support for such functions.
It also provides speaks to the important role of senior healthcare leaders in adopting strategies aligned with
improved electronic and automated systems.
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Section III - Implementation Considerations
Download: Section III of the Resource Guide
Successful Bar Code Implementation: Foundational and Specific Experiences
Successful implementation of new or modified healthcare systems depends on a number of external and
internal factors. External factors are often not within the facility's control, but internal factors can often be
foreseen and addressed. This section reviews both high-level external influences and a number of internal
planning considerations and also suggests a structure for the implementation process.
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Section IV/V - References and Acknowledgements
Download: Section IV/V of the Resource Guide
Includes:
References and Acknowledgements (National Implementation Committee, Reviewers, Funding Sponsors)
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Supporters
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The Technical Task Force
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Global AIDC Standards & Public Health Info Systems:
Canada Health Infoway,
GS1 Canada
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Pharmaceutical Manufacturers:
Apotex Inc.,
Baxter Corporation,
BIOTECanada,
Healthmark,
Pfizer,
Merck (Canada),
Pharmaceutical Partners of Canada Inc.,
Sandoz Canada Inc.
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Supply Chain & Group Purchasing Organizations:
Canadian Pharmaceutical Distribution Network: (Corresponding),
GPO: Approvisionnement-Montreal,
GPO: HealthPRO,
GPO: Medbuy Corporation,
Provincial Health Services:
Ministry of Health, Ontario: Supplies,
Provincial Health Services: Ministry of Health, Ontario, Pharmacy,
Provincial Health Services: Alberta Health Services: Contracting and Pharmacy Services
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Health Information Technology Providers:
Baxa Corporation,
Cardinal Health,
Cerner Corporation,
Eclipsys,
GE Healthcare IT,
McKesson Canada,
Meditech
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Retail Pharmacy Practice Clinical Users:
London Drugs Ltd. (BC),
Rexall (Katz Group),
Shoppers Drug Mart
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Institutional Pharmacy Practice Clinical Users:
Brantford Health Care System,
Fraser Health Authority, B.C.,
London Health Sciences Centre,
University Health Network (Toronto),
Children's and Women's Health Centre of B.C.
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Health Regulators & Professional Organizations:
Accreditation Canada,
Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists,
Health Quality Council of Alberta,
Public Health Agency of Canada
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CSHP Endorsement
HQCA Endorsement
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Project Planning Group:
Ms. Sylvia Hyland (ISMP Canada), Ms. Pierrette Leonard (CPSI), Mr. Ian Sheppard (ISMP Canada, and Children's and Women's Health Centre of B.C.)
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Endorsements and Newsletters
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B.C. Patient Safety and Quality Council -
Endorsement
Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society -
Endorsement
Canadian Association of Paediatric Health Centres -
Endorsement
Canadian Healthcare Association -
Endorsement
Canadian Medical Association -
Endorsement
CMAJ -
Newsletter
Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Society -
Endorsement
Canadian Nurses Association -
Endorsement
Health Council of Canada -
Endorsement
Manitoba Institute for Patient Safety -
Endorsement
Ontario Hospital Association -
Endorsement
Vancouver Island Health Authority -
Endorsement
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Endorsements
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Contact us to become a supporter of this initiative.
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Become a Supporter
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How Can You Help?
This national Project needs the support of organizations from all healthcare sectors, as well as from individual practitioners who understand the need for innovative patient safety practices.
Share this project with your colleagues and organizations.
If you are a Pharmaceutical Manufacturer, or a Healthcare Solution Provider to healthcare practitioners ...
- Comply with the Joint Technical Statement on Canadian Pharmaceutical Automated Identification and Product Database Requirements.
- Become a Strategic Partner. Consider actions in support of this Project and the ongoing review and maintenance.
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Contact ISMP Canada for discussions of joint actions.
If you are aligned with a Healthcare Professional Practice or Safety Organization, of if you are associated with Regional, Provincial or Federal Risk Management processes ...
- Contact ISMP Canada or CPSI, and discuss this Project and its objectives.
- Consider a presentation from our Project Leaders, and discuss how we can work in concert with your organization to enhance practice implementation of the standards.
And, most importantly, if you are a Healthcare Practitioner ...
- Share and discuss this national collaborative with as many colleagues as you can.
- Define ways in which you and your colleagues can, collectively, support and encourage organizations that also support this Project.
- Contact your discipline's Professional Organization, or other practice entities, and encourage their endorsement of this Project.
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FINANCIAL SUPPORT HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY:
- Medbuy Corporation
- HealthPRO Procurement Services Inc
- Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC)
- Baxter Corporation
- Pharmaceutical Partners of Canada Inc (PPC)
- AstraZeneca Canada Inc
- Eli Lilly Canada Inc
- Healthmark
- McKesson Canada
- Pfizer Canada Inc
- Sandoz Canada Inc
- Sanofi Canada Inc
- TEVA Novopharm Ltd
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The following organizations are members of the Implementation Advisory Committee for the project:
- Canada Health Infoway
- Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies
- Canadian Association for Pharmacy Distribution Management
- Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores
- Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association
- Canadian Patient Safety Institute
- Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists
- Group Purchasing Organization Alliance (currently includes Approvisionnement-Montréal, HealthPRO, and Medbuy Corporation)
- GS1 Canada
- Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada
- Public Health Agency of Canada
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