If pharmacies scan and receive alerts for ULM/EMP packs, they may supply the packs to patients under their existing procedures, unless they have overriding concerns that a falsified medicine is involved.

Many ULMs carry 2D barcodes, which gives rise to the question of whether to scan them and what to do if an alert is generated. The following guidance on scanning of ULMs with 2D barcodes has been agreed with the HPRA:

If you know the pack is a ULM, don’t scan it as the IMVS may not recognise the pack;
If you inadvertently scan a ULM and get an alert, you may supply the pack unless:
- you have overriding concerns that a falsified medicine is involved or believe the pack has been interfered with; or
- the pack is flagged as expired, recalled, withdrawn, stolen or destroyed;
Always check the anti-tampering device (if there is one) – if you have any reason to believe the pack has been interfered with, please report this to the HPRA as a product quality defect and do not supply the pack.

Pack already decommissioned