{"id":230509,"date":"2026-06-11T07:00:48","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T07:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/spain-had-been-using-the-cutter-in-pharmacies-for-half-a-century-until-it-decided-to-digitize-it\/"},"modified":"2026-06-11T07:00:50","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T07:00:50","slug":"spain-had-been-using-the-cutter-in-pharmacies-for-half-a-century-until-it-decided-to-digitize-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/spain-had-been-using-the-cutter-in-pharmacies-for-half-a-century-until-it-decided-to-digitize-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Spain Had Been Using the Cutter in Pharmacies for Half a Century\u2014Until It Decided to Digitize It"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The End of the Cutter Era in Spanish Pharmacies<\/h2>\n

Entering a pharmacy in 2026 and witnessing pharmacists using a cutter to mark the traceability of medicines is no longer a scenario that represents the modern age. This outdated practice is on the brink of extinction as Spain moves forward into a more technological future.<\/p>\n

What Has Changed?<\/h2>\n

Recently, Spain’s Council of Ministers approved a significant modification to Royal Decree 1345\/2007, updating the regulations surrounding the Spanish Medicines Verification System. This change will put an end to the old method wherein pharmacists would peel or cut seals from medication boxes and affix them to paper documents, a process used to verify that prescriptions had been dispensed for reimbursement purposes.<\/p>\n

The New System<\/h2>\n

Health Minister M\u00f3nica Garc\u00eda has officially welcomed the modernization of the identification system. The new system operates on the foundation of the national drug repository established in 2019, which uses a unique coding system for each medication. This revolutionary approach eliminates the need for the physical cutting of seals, enhancing both efficiency and accuracy in the dispensing process.<\/p>\n

“We’re talking about the sealed coupon. That’s what pharmacists did when you came to the pharmacy to pick up a drug and they had to cut out a piece of cardboard and paste it on a sheet of paper. Well, we’re going to eliminate all of that,” stated M\u00f3nica Garc\u00eda.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Ensuring Safety and Traceability<\/h2>\n

Transitioning to this digital system presents several challenges. It\u2019s not just about identifying medications; it\u2019s crucial to ensure that these containers cannot re-enter the market unofficially. Pilot tests conducted in the Valencian Community have shown promise, where medications will now be linked to prescriptions and the buyer’s data. Following this system, it becomes impossible for any medication to pass through official channels as new after being dispensed.<\/p>\n

Key Features of the New System<\/h3>\n