DSCSA glossary: TI, TS, ATP, GS1, EPCIS
The Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) uses a lot of abbreviations. If you have ever stared at a compliance checklist wondering what TI 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 on every trade, 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 sets product tracing rules for prescription drugs as they move through the supply chain, from manufacturer to dispenser, including pharmacy-to-pharmacy trades. The law applies to all dispensers, including independent pharmacies, regardless of size.
Transaction information and a transaction statement are required when you buy from or sell to another pharmacy to restock. When you buy brand medications from another pharmacy on InStockRx, both are recorded on the trade and kept in your account. You never have to request them, chase them down, or manually file them.
Every pharmacy's state license and DEA registration are verified before its first trade. DSCSA transaction records on every trade: transaction information and a transaction statement, kept seven years. Product identifiers follow GS1 standards. Your pharmacy keeps its own DSCSA responsibilities. If you have questions about a specific transaction's records, our Account Management Team can pull them within minutes.
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 (legacy term)
Legacy shorthand for Transaction Information, Transaction History, and Transaction Statement, sometimes called "T3 data" or "T3 docs." The transaction history requirement ended November 27, 2023, so T3 no longer describes what DSCSA requires. TI and TS still apply.
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 (legacy)
The chain of prior transactions for a product, tracing it back to the original manufacturer. The transaction history requirement ended November 27, 2023, and it is no longer required on trades. You may still see it in older documents and in the term "T3."
TS - Transaction Statement
The seller's attestation that it is authorized, received the product from an authorized source, and is not knowingly shipping suspect or illegitimate product. Required on every sale or transfer, alongside Transaction Information.
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. On InStockRx, every pharmacy's state license and DEA registration are verified before its first trade.
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.
Product tracing
The DSCSA requirement that prescription drugs can be traced from manufacturer to pharmacy through transaction records. For pharmacies, that means transaction information and a transaction statement on every trade, kept for at least six years.
GS1
The standards the drug supply chain uses to identify products and share tracing data: the GTIN in every DataMatrix barcode, location numbers for trading partners, and EPCIS for data exchange. InStockRx has been a GS1 US Standard Solution Partner since November 2024.
EPCIS
The GS1 data standard FDA recommends for exchanging TI and TS electronically. Many wholesalers still send EDI 856 advance ship notices instead.
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 the product identifier 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 DSCSA transaction records
DSCSA transaction records on every trade: transaction information and a transaction statement, kept seven years. Product identifiers follow GS1 standards. Your pharmacy keeps its own DSCSA responsibilities. You do not file anything manually. When you complete a purchase or sale, the records are stored in your account and available whenever you or a trading partner needs them. Every pharmacy's state license and DEA registration are verified before its first trade.
Common questions about DSCSA terms
What is T3 documentation in pharmacy?
T3 is legacy shorthand for three records under the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA): Transaction Information (TI), Transaction History (TH), and Transaction Statement (TS). The transaction history requirement ended November 27, 2023. Today a pharmacy needs transaction information and a transaction statement, from an authorized trading partner, kept for at least six years.
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. On InStockRx, every pharmacy's state license and DEA registration are verified before its first 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. TS (Transaction Statement) is the seller's attestation that it is authorized, received the product from an authorized source, and is not knowingly shipping suspect or illegitimate product. TH (Transaction History) was the chain of prior transactions for the product; that requirement ended November 27, 2023. TI and TS still apply.
Do I need to manage DSCSA records manually on InStockRx?
No. DSCSA transaction records on every trade: transaction information and a transaction statement, kept seven years. Product identifiers follow GS1 standards. Your pharmacy keeps its own DSCSA responsibilities. Your records are in your account, with no manual paperwork.