China

Overview

Every insured drug carries a unique traceability code. Since 1 July 2025 hospitals and pharmacies must scan it before they can claim reimbursement, and from 1 January 2026 all institutions must collect and upload the codes. Full national standardisation is planned by the end of 2026.

If you supply this market

1. Register your products and GTINs in the national system: Drug traceability code.
2. Print a unique serialised code on every saleable pack.
3. Verify every code on the line; aggregate into cases and pallets where required.
4. Report production and shipments to the national system.

Typical steps for this type of regime. The exact rules are in the sources. Choosing equipment: printing methods.

Timeline

Coming next

• 31 Dec 2026Full national standardisation of traceability codes (plan)

Already in force

• 1 Jul 2025Code scan required for medical insurance settlement
• 1 Jan 2026Full code collection and upload by all institutions

What the code looks like

20-digit drug traceability code

First 7 digits

Drug identification code

Next 9 digits

Serial number of the unit

Last 4 digits

Check code

Printed as a linear barcode with the digits underneath; GS1 DataMatrix is accepted as an alternative. Illustration built on the GS1 example GTIN; the code does not identify any product.

How this code is built →

Moves to 2D at the checkout

• Jun 2026Lawson · Checkout ready. Named by GS1 Global Office (progress report, Jun 2026) among retailers whose checkouts read at least one GS1 2D barcode Source ↗

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• Cisema: drug traceability code 2025 ↗
• China Daily: NHSA on traceability codes ↗

Checked 17 Oct 2026. Seen something outdated? Send a correction.