2D-Pharmacode
2D-Pharmacode is a variant of the Data Matrix symbology that is designed for use in pharmaceutical packaging. It combines a Data Matrix symbol with two optional supplemental modules: color fields and a trigger mark. 2D-Pharmacode was created in 2002 as a replacement for the linear PHARMA-CODE symbology to enable more data to be encoded in a confined amount of space.
The Laetus division of Romaco Pharmatechnik GmbH in Alsbach, Germany, owns the 2D-Pharmacode trademark.
2D-Pharmacode is defined in 2D-Pharmacode - Symbology Specification & Pharmaceutical Application Guide.
The symbol comprises the following elements:
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Data Matrix ECC 200 symbol
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Supplement A (optional): Color fields, which are used to check for the presence of certain colors on the package; as many as eight colors can be included
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Supplement B (optional): Trigger mark, which enables scanning to be synchronized automatically on fast-moving items (for example, items on a conveyor belt)
All elements require a quiet zone. A 3X quiet zone (where "X" is the current X dimension) around the Data Matrix symbol is recommended, and the trigger mark must be preceded by at least a 4 mm-wide zone. The size of the quiet zone outside the color fields depends on the colors that are used and their tolerances.
This symbology supports all 256 ASCII characters, all ISO characters, and all Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code (EBCDIC) characters.
The Data Matrix code uses a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) for error correction.
The Data Matrix code can be used in different magnifications, and the rest of the 2D-Pharmacode symbol is scaled according to the size of the Data Matrix code.
The preferred sizes for a 2D-Pharmacode symbol are as follows:
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Standard: Target X dimension is 0.5mm (approximately 20 mil)
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Miniature: Target X dimension is 0.375mm (approximately 15 mil)
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Micro: Target X dimension is 0.25 mm (approximately 10 mil)
When these preferred sizes are used, the data content in the Data Matrix code of a 2D-Pharmacode symbol can be encoded by using up to 26 x 26 lines or columns.
When the trigger mark is added to the symbol, the required symbol spacing is increased by an additional 7.5 mm on the side where the trigger mark is placed.
Symbol Structure