DSCSA Glossary: Every Term You Need to Know
The Drug Supply Chain Security Act uses a lot of abbreviations. If you have ever stared at a compliance checklist wondering what TI, TH, and TS actually mean, this page is for you. Every term below is written for pharmacy owners and staff, not lawyers. Where InStockRx handles something automatically, we say so.
Why DSCSA Compliance Matters for Independent Pharmacies
The Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) was signed into law in 2013 and took full effect for pharmacies in November 2023. It requires every pharmacy to verify, track, and trace prescription drug products through the supply chain — from manufacturer to dispenser. The law applies to all dispensers, including independent pharmacies, regardless of size.
T3 documentation — Transaction Information, Transaction History, and Transaction Statement — must accompany every drug sale between trading partners. When you buy brand medications from another pharmacy on InStockRx, T3 documentation is generated automatically and stored in your account. You never have to request it, chase it down, or manually file it. It is there when you need it for an audit.
InStockRx verifies every pharmacy on the platform before they can buy or sell. Each transaction generates a full T3 package — the same format you receive from your wholesale distributor. This means every purchase on InStockRx meets DSCSA requirements without any extra steps on your end. If you have questions about a specific transaction's documentation, our Pharmacy Concierge team can pull it within minutes.
→ How automatic T3 documentation works for pharmacy transactions
DSCSA (Drug Supply Chain Security Act)
Federal law requiring full traceability of prescription drugs from manufacturer to dispenser. Fully phased in by November 2023. Every pharmacy buying or selling prescription medications must comply.
T3 Documentation
The three records that must accompany every prescription drug transaction: Transaction Information, Transaction History, and Transaction Statement. Often called "T3 data" or "T3 docs." The practical standard for DSCSA compliance at point of sale.
TI - Transaction Information
Product details for each item in a transaction: drug name, strength, dosage form, NDC, lot number, expiration date, quantity transferred, and transaction date. Required on every sale or transfer.
TH - Transaction History
The full chain of prior transactions for a product, tracing it back to the original manufacturer. Proves the product moved through legitimate hands at every step.
TS - Transaction Statement
A written certification from the seller that: they are an authorized trading partner, the transaction is not suspicious, and the product is not known to be counterfeit or illegitimate. The seller's compliance certification.
ATP - Authorized Trading Partner
A company or pharmacy licensed by the federal government and relevant states to buy and sell prescription drugs. Pharmacies, manufacturers, wholesale distributors, repackagers, and third-party logistics providers can all be ATPs. Under DSCSA, you may only transact with other ATPs. InStockRx verifies every platform member's ATP status before they can list or purchase.
NDC - National Drug Code
An 11-digit number assigned to every prescription drug product sold in the US. Identifies the labeler, product, and trade package. Required in Transaction Information for every DSCSA-covered transaction.
Serialization
The process of assigning a unique serial number to every saleable unit of a prescription drug. Required under DSCSA for full product traceability at the unit level.
Track and Trace
The DSCSA requirement that every prescription drug can be traced from manufacturer to pharmacy through a complete chain of transaction records. The practical goal that T3 documentation is designed to support.
Lot Number
A code assigned by the manufacturer to a specific batch of a drug product. Required in Transaction Information. Used to identify affected units during recalls or quality events.
Saleable Returns
Prescription drugs returned to a distributor or manufacturer that can be reintroduced into the supply chain. DSCSA requires verification of product integrity and transaction history before resale.
Verification
The DSCSA process of confirming that a product's serial number is legitimate before accepting a return or responding to an FDA alert. Verification is performed against the manufacturer's records.
How InStockRx Handles T3 Documentation
Every transaction on InStockRx automatically generates the complete T3 package: Transaction Information, Transaction History, and Transaction Statement. You do not file anything manually. When you complete a purchase or sale, the documentation is stored in your account and available any time an auditor or trading partner requests it. InStockRx also verifies every pharmacy's ATP status before they can participate in the marketplace. The result is the same level of documentation you would receive from your primary wholesaler, without any extra administrative work on your part.
Common Questions About DSCSA Terms
What is T3 documentation in pharmacy?
T3 documentation refers to three records required by the Drug Supply Chain Security Act for every prescription drug transaction: Transaction Information (TI), Transaction History (TH), and Transaction Statement (TS). Together these three documents prove the product's chain of custody and verify that every party in the transaction is a licensed, authorized trading partner.
What does ATP mean in DSCSA?
ATP stands for Authorized Trading Partner. Under DSCSA, pharmacies must only buy and sell medications with other ATPs. An ATP is a licensed manufacturer, repackager, wholesale distributor, third-party logistics provider, or dispensing pharmacy that meets all federal and state licensing requirements. InStockRx verifies that every pharmacy on the platform qualifies as an ATP before they can trade.
What is the difference between TI, TH, and TS in DSCSA?
TI (Transaction Information) includes product details: name, strength, dosage form, NDC, lot number, expiration date, quantity, and transaction date. TH (Transaction History) is the complete chain of prior transactions for the product. TS (Transaction Statement) is a certification from the seller that they are a licensed trading partner and the product is not counterfeit. All three must accompany every transfer of a prescription drug.
Do I need to manage DSCSA T3 documentation manually on InStockRx?
No. InStockRx automatically generates, stores, and makes accessible all required DSCSA T3 documentation for every transaction. You receive the same kind of documentation you get from your primary wholesaler, with no manual paperwork required.