New regulations and updated technologies in Serialization lead to changing jargon, abbreviations and terminology. A lot of them may be familiar because of common usage while some may be lesser known. In this 3 part article we’re looking at the first 20 out of a list of 60 abbreviated Serialization terminologies.
1. 3PL – Third-Party Logistics
Third-Party Logistics Providers offer shipping services for pharmaceutical companies, digital pharmacies and Contract Manufacturing Organizations.
2. 3PP – Third Party Printer
Third-Party Printer Organizations print serial numbers onto packaging products.
3. ADR – Authorized Distributor of Record
A wholesale distributor that distributes manufacturer’s products
4. ASN – Advance Ship Notice
Used as a notification for pending deliveries
5. BoL – Bill of Lading
A document that has details of shipments of products
6. CAPA – Corrective and Preventive Action
A process to eliminate failures in product’s qualities
7. CBV – Core Business Vocabulary
Commonly used vocabulary when exchanging data with partners
8. CMO – Contract Manufacturing Organization
Organizations that provide services for manufacturing and packaging of products
9. CPO – Contract Packaging Organization
Manufacturers who subcontract the packaging of products
10. CSV – Comma Separated Values
A format for saving data used in data exchange
11. DC – Distribution Center
A warehouse to keep products meant to be distributed
12. ECC – Error Correction Coding
A code used to fix errors and recover data
13. EDI – Electronic Data Interchange
A format used to send data online to various computer systems
14. EPC – Electronic Product Code
Commonly used in the supply chain, it’s a serial number for a specific product
15. EPCIS – Electronic Product Code Information Services
This is meant to allow EPC related data to be shared across various networks
16. ERP – Enterprise Resource Planning system
A software that manages a company’s back-office operations
17. FMD – Falsified Medicines Directive
Also known as EU FMD, it protects patients from counterfeit medicines
18. GCP – Global Company Prefix
A globally unique code used to identify trade items like logistic units, locations, parties, and assets
19. GLN – Global Location Number
Consists of a 13 digit number that allows tracking of location and reference of a product in the supply chain
20. GTIN – Global Trade Item Number
Used in databases to check on products. The number can be searched via barcode scanners