GS1 … A Common Language For the Health Care Industry

The Global Language of Business

There is currently a wave of change happening not only within the Medical Device industry, but throughout the entire healthcare sector.  Global standards are being pushed by the FDA that impact everyone in the supply chain.  If you have not been asked by your customers yet if your company is prepared, it is just a matter of time.  GS1 is a global organization with local offices in over 100 countries across the globe.  This body designs global standards and services to improve supply chains and is the most widely used standards system in the world today.  There are two critical components of the GS1 standard that you should familiarize yourself with.  First, there will be a globally unique number for legal entities, functional entities, and physical locations known as the GLN (Global Location Number).  Secondly, there will be a globally unique number for products & services known as the GTIN (Global Trade Item Number).

It is extremely important that all medical device professionals become aware and understand that there product or catalog numbers will be changing as well as their customers’ shipping and bill-to numbers.  For more information, please contact your Sales Operations or Regulatory functions as they are more than likely aware of this initiative and can bring you up-to-speed with where your company is in adopting these new standards.  The big question you are likely asking yourself is “why the change” ?  There are two primary reasons: 1) Patient Safety – The thinking is that with these global standards, the deliver of patient care will be safer and recalls more accurate.  2) Efficiency – Some studies have quoted that over $10B in savings could be garnered by adopting these standards across the healthcare supply chain.  For more information, please take a look at the 6 minute video from GS1.I am curious to hear from anyone who uses it and how it’s come-in handy for them.