The GS1 HUG™ is a voluntary and open group formed by 40 leading pharmaceutical and medical devices companies, wholesalers, hospitals and trade associations from around the world. The HUG’s primary objective is to enhance patient safety worldwide through accurate and standardised product identification.

Accurate product identification is crucial to patient safety in three key aspects:

             􀂃 avoiding medication errors by ensuring that the right drug is delivered to the right patient

             􀂃 preventing the use of counterfeit drugs and medical devices

             􀂃 allowing the traceability of medical products

      After one year of successful operation of the GS1 HUG™, HUG officially announced on 26 July 2006 that it will use GS1 standards exclusively as the basis for its automatic product identification developments (Bar Codes and Radio Frequency Identification Product e-Business Tags). Over the course of the next 18 months the HUG members will continue to further promote the existing GS1 standards for their application and implementation, in the healthcare sector. While the primary focus is on developing global standards for automatic product identification, the HUG will also be working on other topics e.g. serialisation, medical catalogues, data synchronisation, classification and e-commerce, to make the healthcare systems safer and more efficient worldwide.

      The two co-chairs of the GS1 HUG™ expressed their satisfaction at this achievement. Volker Zeinar, B.Braun, commented, “The organization of the HUG, the engagement of the members and their willingness to share expertise are the key success factors. Patient safety is a valuable matter which has to be protected and improved. The GS1 HUG™ wants to contribute with voluntary global standards.”

       Rich Hollander ,Pfizer ,added, " The HUG was formed to develop global standards in the healthcare industry when it comes to automatic identification and act as the leading voice for the healthcare industry. Many of the standards required already exist, but there are a multitude to choose from. The HUG is developing global healthcare application standards relying on the GS1 system.”