A Practical Guide to GLN Assignment, Management, and DSCSA Readiness
As DSCSA enforcement moves the pharmaceutical industry toward fully serialized, interoperable data exchange, pharmacies must ensure they are using Global Location Numbers (GLNs) correctly and consistently. Whether a pharmacy is dispensing, receiving, or participating in EPCIS data exchange with trading partners, having properly assigned and well-managed GLNs is essential for accurate tracing and compliance.
This guide explains how pharmacies can obtain GLNs, how many they need, and the best practices for managing them across a store, chain, or network.
Does DSCSA require a pharmacy to have a GLN?
The DSCSA statute doesn’t name the GLN, but in practice every dispensing location needs one. The EPCIS-based data exchange the industry uses for DSCSA identifies trading partners and ship-to locations by GLN, and wholesalers such as Cencora require a GLN to do business with a pharmacy (1).
That still applies to small dispensers. FDA’s exemption for qualifying small dispensers runs until November 27, 2027, but it covers only certain enhanced electronic tracing requirements (2). It doesn’t change what your wholesaler needs from you now. For details, see our small dispenser exemption update.
How do I get a GLN number for my pharmacy?
Most pharmacies get a GLN in one of three ways. First, check whether your primary wholesaler or GS1 US already has a GLN on file for your location. If not, buy a single GLN from GS1 US for up to 10 locations, or license a GS1 Company Prefix if you need more (3).
Step 1: Check whether you already have a GLN
Many wholesalers assigned GLNs to their pharmacy customers, and buying a second GLN for the same location creates a duplicate record (1). Ask your primary wholesaler first, then search GS1 US Data Hub | Location (formerly the GLN Registry for Healthcare) by your pharmacy’s legal name and address (4).
Step 2, option A: Buy a single GLN (up to 10 locations)
If you’re identifying one or a few locations, GS1 US sells individual GLNs for a one-time fee of [confirm: current GS1 US single GLN price], with no company prefix required. After checkout, GS1 US emails you access to myGS1 US, where you can view your GLN (3).
Step 2, option B: License a GS1 Company Prefix (more than 10 locations)
Chains and networks with more than 10 locations typically license a GS1 Company Prefix, a unique number licensed from GS1 that forms the base of every GLN, GTIN and other GS1 identifier the organization creates (3).
To obtain a prefix:
- Visit GS1 US and apply for a company prefix license.
- Provide basic business information, including legal entity details.
- Choose the appropriate prefix capacity based on how many identifiers you expect to create.
Once the prefix is assigned, the organization can generate as many GLNs as needed within that prefix range.
Step 3: Share your GLN with every trading partner
Keep the name and address on your GLN record current in GS1 US, and send the same GLN to every wholesaler and supplier that ships to that location. If you switch wholesalers, keep your GLN. GS1 US can transfer ownership of a wholesaler-created GLN to your pharmacy (1).
What are the GS1 rules for assigning a GLN?
GS1 requires that GLNs remain:
- Unique (each GLN must represent one and only one location or function)
- Persistent (a GLN should not change unless the location itself fundamentally changes)
- Accurate (the assigned GLN must reflect the real operational role of the location)
A GLN may represent a:
- Legal entity (the corporate organization)
- Store or pharmacy location
- Department or functional area (e.g., receiving, billing, returns)
- Digital location (e.g., EPCIS repository or data exchange endpoint)
The key rule:
If a change affects how trading partners understand a location, such as new ownership, a new function or a new physical address, assign a new GLN (5).
How many GLNs does a pharmacy need?
A single independent pharmacy usually needs one GLN for its store location, and sometimes a separate GLN for its legal entity. Chains need one GLN per dispensing location, plus GLNs for centralized functions such as billing, mail order or returns that trading partners ship to or invoice.
A single independent pharmacy may need:
- Optional: functional GLNs (receiving, billing, etc.) if trading partners require them
A regional or national chain may require:
- 1 Corporate Legal Entity GLN
- One GLN per store or dispensing location
- Functional GLNs for departments such as centralized billing, specialty pharmacy services, mail-order or fulfillment centers, and returns management
The more locations and internal functions a business has, the more GLNs are needed to accurately represent its supply chain footprint.
For more depth, see GLN management for small and independent pharmacies and GLN management for pharmacy chains and networks.
How much does a GLN cost?
A single GLN from GS1 US is a one-time purchase of $30.00 USD. A GS1 Company Prefix has an initial fee and an annual renewal, and its cost depends on:
- The size of the prefix (how many identifiers you need)
- GS1’s annual renewal requirements
With a prefix, there is no separate fee per GLN. You can create GLNs as needed, up to the prefix’s capacity.
If you license a prefix, renew it every year. A lapsed prefix license can invalidate the GLNs created from it, causing compliance issues and trading partner data mismatches.
What are GLN best practices for pharmacies?
The core GLN best practices are to name GLNs consistently, document how they relate in a hierarchy, keep one master registry, review it every year and never reuse a retired GLN. Each one keeps the location data in EPCIS files matching what trading partners have on record.
How should a pharmacy name its GLNs?
Pharmacies should maintain a consistent naming system to clearly distinguish different types of GLNs.
Examples:
- Legal Entity: “ABC Pharmacy Inc.”
- Store Location: “ABC Pharmacy #142 – Orlando, FL”
- Receiving Department: “ABC Pharmacy #142 – Receiving”
Clear naming prevents internal confusion and supports smooth onboarding with manufacturers and wholesalers.
What is a GLN hierarchy?
Every pharmacy organization should maintain a documented hierarchy showing how GLNs relate to each other:
- Corporate legal entity -> Store locations -> Functional departments
A hierarchy ensures:
- EPCIS data is mapped correctly
- Trading partners understand which GLN belongs where
- Changes (such as store relocations) are communicated accurately
For multi-store chains, hierarchy management is essential for avoiding duplicated or inconsistent GLN assignments across different regions.
How do you avoid duplicate or stale GLNs?
Common GLN problems include:
- Re-using old GLNs after a store closure or relocation
- Accidentally assigning two GLNs to the same physical location
- Using a GLN that no longer reflects the true purpose of the location
To avoid issues:
- Maintain a master GLN registry
- Review assignments annually
- Align GLNs with real-world operations whenever changes occur
Incorrect or stale GLNs are a common cause of EPCIS mismatches and DSCSA compliance delays.
When should a pharmacy retire a GLN?
A GLN should be retired when the location or function it identifies is permanently changed in a way that affects trading partner understanding.
Examples that require retiring the old GLN, and assigning a new one if the location or function continues:
- A store relocates to a new address
- A receiving department moves or is restructured
- A legal entity changes ownership or is merged
- A location closes permanently
A GLN should not be reused for a new purpose once retired. Reuse creates ambiguity and can cause EPCIS failures.
Put your GLNs to work with Pharmacy Pro
OneScan Pharmacy Pro brings every DSCSA requirement into one system for pharmacies and for every other kind of dispenser. Explore OneScan Pharmacy Pro.
Want to learn more about GLNs? Explore the related articles in our blog series to dive deeper into how GLNs work, why they matter, and how they’re used across the supply chain.
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