How to Identify your Location with GLN for DSCSA Requirements

When the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) enacted the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) in 2013, it aimed to create a fully interoperable U.S. supply chain - all the way from pharmaceutical manufacturers and wholesaler distributors down to pharmacy dispensers. To meet these requirements, industry leaders are endorsing a standardized approach to location identification with the GS1 Global Location Number (GLN).

A GLN is the globally unique GS1 Identification Number that can be used to identify the “Who” and “Where” of these product movement transactions. The GLN can be used to identify a legal entity (like a health system), a functional entity (like a pharmacy dispenser or accounting department), or a physical location (like a distribution center, hospital wing, loading dock door, storage location, or nursing station).

By creating GLNs, assigning locations to them, and sharing that information with trading partners - you will unlock the ability to fully track and trace your products, manage saleable returns, and other requirements of the DSCSA.

How to get a GLN

There are multiple ways to get a GLN, so we are here to help. The below Quick Start Guides were created to assist suppliers and dispensers in understanding the various options for getting a GLN and help them make the best decision for their business.

Quick Start Guide for Dispensers

The good news is you might already have a GLN if you are a hospital, retail pharmacy, home health agency, or long-term care facility. If you are a GS1 US member, you already have access to an entity GLN.

Also, if you work with AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, McKesson, Smith Drug Company, HealthTrust, Premier, or Vizient, you may already have a GLN enumerated on your behalf. Review our options below to learn how you can determine if you already have a GLN or if needed, how you can get a GLN.

Quick Start Guide for Suppliers

Pharmaceutical manufacturers and wholesale distributors may already have access to a GLN depending on their organization’s member status with GS1 US. Review our options below to learn how you can determine your member status and the steps needed to take to create and manage your GLN.

New GLN Lookup Tool Available!

Find basic information on a trading partner’s location identified with a Global Location Number (GLN). Search by GLN, location name, or physical address. With more accurate location data, you can facilitate efficient business practices and help meet healthcare regulations.

Warehouse checklist

Need Additional Help?

If your company has no need to generate GLNs to identify locations, but still needs access to location data, you can still sign up for GS1 US Data Hub | Location as a View/Use subscriber. This allows you to search for and export GLN information for your business partners, who also use the tool. Annual fees apply, based on your subscription options and the number of users accessing the tool.

*For information about the act, see the 2013 Drug Supply Chain Security Act

Disclaimer: GS1 US is the local GS1 Member Organization that supports implementation of the GS1 System in the United States. GS1 US employees are not representatives or agents of the U.S. FDA, and the content herein has not been reviewed, approved, or authorized by the U.S. FDA.