Yes it definately works. As it is working in many things other than pharmacy. Bar Coding of medicine definately reduced the medication errors in great extent.

It greatly helps the technical control done.

In Norway the system then prompts the pharmacist to scan the barcode, and the labeling sticker (which also has a barcode) this Ensures that the correct label is put on the correct pack and that the correct medicine is picked from the drawers or whatever system is used. The pharmacist can not Complete the dispensing before this check is passed so all packs go through this check.

Bar coding is used regularly in Belgium. It does not only help reducing errors and improving speed of services but can also be used to control prescriptions and the proper types and doses of chronic medication e.g. diabetes  as well as controlling illegal uses of medication within an agreed doctor-pharmacist co-operation schemes.

Here is a systematic review on Drug Administration Errors in Hospital Inpatients by Berdot et al. http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0068856

in the discussion section, authors recommand using bar-coding systems to reduce drug administration errors

It certenly Works, the problema is the cost and that you need to make changes in the work flow.

Definitely yes, however bar coding is time consuming.

yes ,bar coding does reduce certain types of medication errors .Reducing medication errors needs multipronged approach.

Bar coding will certainly help to minimize errors 

I have worked in a facility that employed bar-coding where at the point of dispensing one had to scan the bar-code on the patient label as well as the bar-code on the medication packaging and if there was a mismatch the system notified you. I found that this step largely minimised product selection&labelling errors and ensured the right drug reached the right patient. Initially I found it cumbersome and time-consuming. After a while, especially at very busy peak times, I found that the system now gave me an added feeling of assurance that I had not made a dispensing error in the rush under pressure, kind of like a personal safety net.

However I did find that there were other errors that the system was unable to prevent e.g. mis-read prescription resulting in wrong drug dispensed, mis-read directions resulting in dosing errors etc. Since the human factor cannot be entirely eliminated regardless of automation,other kinds of errors will require more than bar-coding alone.

Absolutely true Pharmacist.Brian, initially we all have the same problem when a new system is introduced ,certainly it will have many advantages but it will not be a substitute to the pharmacist /human brain.Still the human error need to be minimized by way of independent double checking process. 

Dear Sultan - I am interested in which system you are using as we are aware of barcoding in many European countries, but also the needs of a new European directive on falsified medicines. Please share with us your experience not only onf error reduction but also implementation of the system. Thanks

David Preece

European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP)

Dear Sultan,

Bar coding certainly reduces the medication errors. At least, it is expected to be reduced by this way. But, to my opinion, the weakest point of this application is OTC products having possibility to interact prescribed medicine. Heath professionals, in particular pharmacists, should be aware of this weakness point, they should be closely in touch with patients. Most of OTC products, esp. herbal products, may have serious interactions with prescribed medicines resulting in failure in the therapy of serious diseases.

Another important issue related to bar coding may be the efficacy of technology used for this purpose, i.e.,  software, mainframe system, internet capacity, etc

Regards

Yusuf