The Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD), which requires all EU pharmacies to be able to scan 2D data matrix barcodes, use integrated software to verify and decommission medicines from those barcodes and check medicine packaging for tampering is in effect from the 9th of February 2019.

The new standard of packaging, alongside the new audit trail, has been created by the EU with the intention of reducing the number of counterfeit medicines on the market and decreasing the associated health risks.

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) confirmed last month that checking pharmacies for FMD compliance will be part of its pharmacy inspections and it will “use its regulatory powers, including improvement action plans, to ensure pharmacies take action” if they are not FMD compliant.

There is some reprieve for pharmacies rushing to become compliant as the GPhC has stated that it “does not see the implementation date of February 9 as being a ‘cliff edge’”.

However, legal compliance is compulsory for all pharmacy owners.

Here are our tips to becoming FMD compliant:

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