QR Code Prescription

A QR code prescription is a QR code printed on a prescription issued by a medical institution. When pharmacy staff scan the QR code, the prescription details, such as the drug name, dosage, and directions for use, are automatically imported into the system, reducing the effort of manual entry and input errors.

In Japan, electronic prescriptions have been in operation since 2023. For patients, too, this leads to shorter waiting times, and linking with a medication notebook (okusuri techo) app also makes it easier to manage their medication history.

The packaging of prescription drugs displays a barcode that stores the product code (GTIN), expiration date, lot number, and serial number in line with the GS1 standards. The symbol used differs according to the rules for each packaging unit, and it is not necessarily a QR code. Scanning by pharmacists helps prevent dispensing errors and makes inventory management more efficient.