WHAT IS AGGREGATION?

Aggregation refers to the process of labeling the exterior of cases and pallets with unique identifiers that correspond to the individual package codes of the products contained within. Essentially, aggregation establishes hierarchical relationships, creating a parent-child structure that links pallets to cases and cases to individual packages. This innovative approach allows stakeholders to ascertain the contents of a case or pallet simply by scanning the code on the outside, eliminating the need to physically open the case to retrieve the serial numbers of each individual package.

The adoption of aggregation is essential for effectively managing serialization data, ensuring compliance with increasingly stringent traceability requirements in regions such as the United States, Brazil, the UAE, and China. While aggregation isn't mandated under the European Falsified Medicines Directive (EU-FMD), many manufacturers are nonetheless opting to implement serialization solutions that incorporate this feature. This trend is driven by the significant benefits aggregation offers, including enhanced efficiency in both the distribution chain and stock level management. By providing a clear mapping of products from individual packages to bulk shipments, aggregation streamlines operations and bolsters the integrity of pharmaceutical supply chains.