SOFTWARE-BASED VERIFICATION OF THE EAN-13 BARCODE CHECK DIGIT IN THE ASSORTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS

Abstract

EAN-13 is a widely recognized linear barcode standard used for the identification and labeling of products, including items from the assortment of pharmaceutical products. Verifying the correctness of the barcode’s check digit is essential to ensure the accuracy of automated inventory management and stock control. At the same time, products from the assortment of pharmaceutical products that are not subject to mandatory state verification (such as dietary supplements, medical devices) remain vulnerable to labeling and data entry errors.The aim of our work was to develop a program for verifying the check digit of the EAN-13 barcode as a tool for basic incoming inspection of the labeling accuracy of products that are not subject to mandatory verification but are widely represented on the pharmaceutical market. The article presents the development of a program for verifying the check digit of the EAN-13 barcode, implemented as a web application based on HTML and JavaScript. The program allows users to enter a 13-digit code, calculate the expected check digit according to the official algorithm, and promptly inform the user of the barcode’s correctness.The developed program requires no installation, is easy to use, and can be adapted for use in pharmacies, warehouses, or educational institutions. It is also advisable to use the program during practical classes in institutions with pharmaceutical and medical orientation and in educational simulation centers where future professionals are trained.