If you’re a pharmacy operator still trying to wrap your head around DSCSA compliance and EPCIS files, you’re not alone. What was supposed to be a smooth industry-wide upgrade to traceability has quickly become a chaotic mess for many, especially independent pharmacies.

Errors, missing data, failed handoffs. The reality? Pharmacies across the country are spending more time troubleshooting file uploads than filling prescriptions.

Let’s break down what’s happening and what you can do to stay ahead of the curve.

The Problem: EPCIS Isn’t Plug-and-Play

The move to EPCIS (Electronic Product Code Information Services) was meant to create a standardized way to track pharmaceutical products through the supply chain.

In theory, it’s a good system. In practice? It’s creating serious bottlenecks.

Here’s what pharmacies are running into:

• ❌ Missing timestamps and event order data
• ❌ Duplicate or mismatched GTINs
• ❌ Incomplete or unlinked children records
• ❌ File format errors, broken schemas, or unsupported vocabulary
• ❌ Delayed onboarding or unresponsive trading partners

These aren’t rare bugs—they’re showing up daily and disrupting operations across the board.

The Real-World Impact

When EPCIS files fail or data doesn’t line up, it means:

• Shipments get held up
• Product pedigree is delayed
• Staff wastes time troubleshooting
• Compliance risk goes up

And for smaller pharmacies with fewer IT resources, it’s even more painful.

So What Can You Do About It?

While there’s no magic button to make EPCIS pain disappear, there are proven steps pharmacies can take:

✅ Use Middleware Tools That Catch Errors Early
These platforms flag missing fields, structure issues, and sequence problems before files go downstream.

✅ Push Your Upstream Partners to Get It Right
Your wholesaler should be sending clean, compliant EPCIS files every time. If they’re not, you need to ask why.

✅ Educate Your Team—And Your Vendors
Everyone touching the data needs to understand what a good file looks like and how to escalate issues fast.

✅ Choose a Distributor That Gets It
At Wellgistics, we don’t just ship product—we’ve invested in the tech, training, and partner relationships to make EPCIS work as intended. We’re here to support you with:

• Real-time file validation
• Partner onboarding help
• Clean, structured data
• Human support when you need it

Bottom Line: Don’t Let Compliance Disrupt Care

DSCSA was designed to make the drug supply chain safer—not more frustrating. But unless you have the right tools and partners in place, that frustration can get very real, very fast.

If you’re tired of dealing with file failures and confused vendors, reach out to Wellgistics today. We’ll help you cut through the noise and stay compliant without slowing down your pharmacy.