Where pack-by-pack scanning becomes a bottleneck
Sequential scanning can work for small volumes, but in larger operations (wholesalers, parallel importers/distributors, hospital and community pharmacies) it quickly creates friction:
Repeated positioning and button presses for every single pack.
Manual entry or correction of product, batch, or expiry data.
Slower goods receipt, stock counting, and picking.
Missed or duplicated scans that distort inventory records.
Difficulty finding a specific batch, expiry date, or serial number.
Limited visibility of verification results across a batch of packs.
More time spent investigating exceptions and alerts.
For teams already under pressure, the problem isn’t the regulation — it’s the time and effort required to comply at scale.
What one-pass scanning changes
NexRx is an AR-powered one-pass scanning app for EU FMD workflows. Instead of scanning every pack individually, it can capture multiple pharmaceutical DataMatrix codes in a single camera view and provide real-time, colour-coded feedback.
This allows your team to:
- Capture multiple packs at onceProcess dozens of codes in a single pass rather than repeatedly positioning and scanning individual packs.
- See what needs attentionMissed and duplicate scans can be identified immediately instead of being discovered later.
- Get live verification feedbackThe workflow can show the FMD/NMVS status of scanned packs in real time.
- Find the information you needProducts can be searched by batch, expiry date, serial number or FMD status.
- Work across different workflowsThe same approach can support goods receipt, stock counts, recalls and decommissioning preparation.
Is one-pass scanning right for your workflow?
One-pass scanning is most relevant when your team:
- Processes large numbers of pharmaceutical packs
- Repeats scanning tasks frequently
- Needs visibility of batch, expiry or serial numbers
- Spends time investigating alerts or locating stock
- Wants to use mobile devices rather than proprietary scanners
- Needs to connect scanning with ERP, WMS or pharmacy systems, or the NMVS
It is not a solution that should simply be assumed to work in every environment. Performance can depend on packaging, lighting, print quality, devices, network conditions and system integrations. The best way to assess the fit is to test the workflow using your own products and operating conditions.
What to check before choosing a scanning solution
Before introducing a new pharmaceutical scanning workflow, ensure the solution can:
- Capture multiple DataMatrix codes reliably
- Read all required data fields accurately (product, serial, batch, expiry)
- Detect missed and duplicate scans
- Provide clear real-time feedback on scan and verification status
- Search by product, batch, expiry, serial number or status
- Connect to the relevant NMVS
- Handle unreadable, expired and duplicate codes gracefully
- Integrate with your ERP, WMS or pharmacy systems
- Work with your real products under normal operating conditions
- Support documented procedures and staff training
These checks help you assess not just how fast a scanner can read a barcode, but whether the complete workflow fits your operation.
Next step
Is pack-by-pack scanning creating unnecessary work for your team? Don’t just take our word for it.
This article is general educational information. It is not legal, regulatory or quality-system advice. Alert categories, reporting routes, national requirements and system processes can vary. Always follow your approved procedure and current guidance from the relevant NMVO and competent authority.
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