GS1 Healthcare newsletter – Mar 2021

George Lawton
Engagement manager – healthcare

Spring is a chance to look forward – the days are getting longer, the sun is coming out, the trees are starting to blossom and there is an air of positivity as we gradually emerge from lockdown.

We are all able to look forward to an exciting date for the diary – the GS1 UK Healthcare Conference, which will now be held next year on Wednesday 16 to Friday 18 March.

We really hope you can join us for what is set to be a great event! It is the best place to celebrate the work that has continued to drive the adoption of GS1 standards across healthcare in Great Britain.

In fact, today we are proudly celebrating 50 years of one of GS1’s globally unique identifiers for products – the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). Here’s a great snapshot of the past 50 years.

The power of the GTIN has undoubtedly transformed traceability in the clinical setting and adoption has increased for both healthcare suppliers and providers. Now, their importance will continue to grow following the recent Medicines and Medical Device Act 2021, where unique identification will play an integral part in the traceability of medicines and medical devices.

GS1 UK’s Healthcare Conference returns on 16–18 March 2022

Our GS1 UK Healthcare Conference provides the perfect platform for our members, partners, and stakeholders to connect and share ongoing work in the realm of GS1 standards adoption in healthcare.

As you know, we were planning on holding this as an in-person event in May this year. However, given the current circumstances, and for the safety and wellbeing of all attendees, we have decided to postpone the event until 16–18 March 2022 instead of going fully virtual. Our head of healthcare, Glen Hodgson, explains why.

Traceability at the forefront of healthcare

How GS1 standards have helped shape the transformation of inventory management within the NHS

In the lead up to our next conference, we are working with our key event sponsors to keep the engaging content coming.

First up in the series will be a thought-provoking webinar from our platinum sponsor, Ingenica Solutions, with East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

Find out more and register>>

WHO releases policy paper on the traceability of medicinal products

The World Health Organisation recently released their policy paper on the traceability of medicinal products.

The paper makes reference to the use of GS1 standards for product and automatic identification, as well as the capture and exchange of data, to maximise national and international interoperability.

Read and download in full>>

Important updates to healthcare standards

GS1 standards update: distribution and shipping of biologicals

This update relates to the distribution of Medical Products of Human Origin (MPHO) which uses the ISBT 128 standard and explains how GS1 standards for logistics can enable traceability throughout the general supply chain.

The updated guidance covers how GS1 standards complements the existing ISBT-128 standard to identify consignments of blood and other biologics from human origin with a GS1 SSCC, and how that information can be shared securely using EDI messages.

Access the GS1 Distribution and Shipping of Biologicals Guideline>>

EUDAMED module release dates announced by the European Commission

Earlier this month, the European Commission officially confirmed release dates for the second and third EUDAMED modules.

These pertain to modules on UDI/device registration and the module on Certificates and Notified Bodies, which will become available by September 2021.

Find out more in the European Commission update>>

In the news

NEW ISSUE: Health Business Magazine spotlight

Access the latest business information and insights for healthcare professionals in issue 21.1 of Health Business Magazine

Training and events

Basic UDI-DI for the EU Medical Device Regulations
6 Apr, online webinar

Register

Getting started with GS1 UK

8 Apr, online webinar

Book now

Transforming inventory management within the NHS

Secure a place

Barcoding – getting it right

28–29 Apr, virtual training

Secure your place

Getting started with GS1 UK

6 May, online webinar

Register

All our usual onsite training sessions are available to be delivered virtually. Contact us on 0808 178 8799 or email training@gs1uk.org for details.

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