NHS England spoke at the recent Making and Distributing Pharmaceuticals conference in a joint presentation with GS1. The presentation focused on the NHS’s use of barcodes and the importance of them being consistently applied.
Jo Goulding, the spokesperson for the NHSE, explained the need for barcodes is a two-fold concern.
Firstly, the NHSE has a centrally funded agreement with GS1, therefore allowing all their systems to adhere to GS1 standards. Barcoding through GS1 standards is essential to the NHSE’s dm+d system as it allows for data inoperability, meaning all of their systems are able to seamlessly exchange, interpret and use data without the need for human input, therefore reducing manual data handling and allowing patient information to be passed smoothly across all NHSE systems.
Secondly, the NHSE are aiming to advance their dispensing procedures to embrace the modernisation of technology. In their 10 year Health Plan for England: Fit for Future, released in July 2025, the NHS expressed that a key aim for them moving forward is to modernise the approach to dispensing medicines by using new technologies. They aim to take advantage of dispensing robots, as well as hub and spoke models, engaging with the sector and the public as required. This, therefore, makes the application of barcodes key to the advancements planned by the NHS, as well as creating faster reaction times to recalls and confidence in patient administration.
With the implementation of the Windsor Framework, the requirement to have barcodes present on UK packs has been removed. This causes issues within the NHSE system as the barcodes they rely on are not always available, preventing effective use of the dm+d and seamless patient care.
Therefore, NHS England are encouraging for all MA Holders to become GS1 registered so they can apply barcodes to any products supplied within the UK to allow for this system to be fully implemented. Although the NHS are currently pushing for this to become a legal requirement and are involved in talks with ministers and the department of health to make changes to the legislation, they are emphasising the pressures on the system without digital intervention.