The technology for assigning, applying, and verifying identification codes across a diverse range of products proves to be an invaluable asset, offering benefits that extend to various industries. In the medical sector, particularly, where Unique Device Identification (UDI) serves as the established method for identifying and tracking medical devices throughout their life cycles—from production and distribution to ultimate consumer use—the implementation of product codes brings about numerous advantages. This includes the facilitation of more efficient recall procedures, a reduction in medical errors, heightened visibility of inventory, and enhanced security within the supply chain.
During the manufacturing stages, the application of unique codes to each item provides critical information to the supply chain management system, including details about the nature of the product and the specifics of its production, such as when and where it was manufactured. In the event of a product recall due to a defect, the code becomes paramount in unlocking the “chain of custody,” enabling the traced back to its origin, thereby ensuring effective and targeted corrective measures.
Counterfeit products pose significant threats to medical brands, impacting business revenues, eroding consumer trust through substandard imitations, and, most critically, endangering consumers’ health. Illicit trade exacerbates these issues by encompassing activities such as product diversion, where genuine products are redirected from authorized channels to unauthorized ones.
In response to these challenges, item-level identification emerges as a valuable tool for distinguishing genuine products from counterfeits. It not only helps protect consumers but also aids governments in curbing the economic losses and job erosion resulting from illicit trade. With the implementation of the EU Medical Device Regulation in May 2020, manufacturers are now obligated to adhere to higher safety and performance standards for medical devices. This regulatory framework aims to enhance sector modernization and establish the EU’s leadership in the global arena.
In the current context, where wearing medical masks is mandatory in various social situations, businesses are responding to the heightened demand by manufacturing face masks. However, as these masks are classified as medical devices, compliance with the EU Medical Device Regulation requires them to be marked with relevant data. Codico stands ready to assist in coding medical devices, ensuring adherence to all applicable regulations.
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