Domino Printing Sciences positions 2D codes as pharma packaging’s next data driver

FRANCE – Domino Printing Sciences is highlighting the strategic potential of 2D codes on pharmaceutical packaging at Pharmapack Europe 2026, to be held in Paris on January 21–22.

As reported by Packaging Insights, the company says 2D coding is rapidly evolving from a regulatory requirement into a key enabler of data-driven operations, patient safety, and digital transformation across the pharmaceutical value chain.

According to Domino, 2D codes support enhanced supply chain visibility, more accurate data capture, and greater efficiency in pharmaceutical packaging operations.

Bart Vansteenkiste, global key account manager for life sciences at Domino Printing Sciences, said manufacturers are only beginning to tap into the technology’s full value.

“At Domino, we believe 2D codes are an opportunity for manufacturers to move well beyond baseline compliance,” said Vansteenkiste.

“While regulations such as the EU’s Falsified Medicines Directive and the US Drug Supply Chain Security Act have laid the groundwork by mandating serialization, the real value comes when manufacturers use 2D codes as strategic, data-driven tools.”

He explained that a single 2D scan can now perform multiple functions, from verifying product authenticity and flagging duplicates to supporting automated expiry checks and connecting patients with real-time digital information.

“This turns packaging from a passive requirement into an active enabler of digital transformation and patient safety,” he added.

Domino notes that the broader shift from 1D to 2D barcodes is already underway across multiple industries, making this an “ideal moment” for pharmaceutical companies to reassess their coding strategies.

Vansteenkiste outlined several practical steps manufacturers can take immediately, starting with the adoption of digital printing technologies.

“Many businesses still rely heavily on pre-printed packaging components, which often leads to excessive stockholding, obsolescence, and unnecessary waste,” he said.

“By moving to inline variable data digital printing, manufacturers can reduce inventory complexity and respond faster to changes such as updated artwork, new languages, or market-specific requirements.”

Beyond operational efficiency, Domino positions 2D codes as a sustainability lever. Linking codes to electronic patient information leaflets can significantly cut paper use while ensuring patients always access the most up-to-date guidance in accessible formats, including multilingual and visually enhanced content.

The focus on connected, data-rich packaging aligns with wider industry developments. Across Europe, pharmaceutical companies and solution providers are preparing for increased adoption of GS1 Digital Link standards, which enable a single 2D code to carry multiple layers of information for regulators, supply chain partners, healthcare professionals, and patients.

Meanwhile, automation and vision inspection providers are investing heavily in inline inspection systems capable of verifying complex codes at high speeds.

Looking ahead, Vansteenkiste expects 2D codes to reshape pharmaceutical packaging over the next decade, enabling real-time verification, safer medication administration in clinical settings, and more sustainable, right-sized pack formats.

“Ultimately,” he concluded, “packaging will become a critical part of the wider healthcare data landscape.”

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