A number of countries across the globe have requirements mandating the serialization of pharmaceuticals. These requirements can vary slightly from region to region, but the basics remain the same. Each individual product carton must be marked with a unique identifying number in alpha-numeric and barcode formats – usually a 2D barcode. These numbers need to be recorded and uploaded to a central database. At the point of sale, the code is scanned and checked against the central database to ensure authenticity. It may also be necessary to scan products along each step of the supply chain, depending on regulations.