CODE 32 Italian Pharmacode - Dynamsoft Barcode Reader SDK

What is Code 32?

CODE 32 is a specialized barcode symbology primarily used in the Italian pharmaceutical industry which is also known as "Italian Pharmacode". It is a variant of the Code 39 barcode and is designed to encode an 8-digit number including a unique check digit based on the modulo 10 (mod 10) algorithm.

The Code 32 human readable interpretation begins with the ASCII character "A", which is not encoded into the barcode.

Specifications

• Character Set: Numeric (digits 0-9)
• Length: Fixed 8 digits (7 data digits + 1 check digit)
• Check Digit: Modulo 10 algorithm
• Start/Stop Characters: Uses standard Code 39 start and stop characters ('*')
• Structure: Similar to Code 39 but restricted to numeric encoding

Where is Code 32 Used?

CODE 32 is predominantly used in the Italian pharmaceutical industry for drug identification. It is used to encode the AIC (Autorizzazione all'Immissione in Commercio) code, which is a unique identifier for pharmaceutical products in Italy.

Industry

• pharmaceutical

How could Dynamsoft help you with Code 32?

Dynamsoft barcode reader enables you to efficiently embed high-speed and reliable barcode reading functionality in your web, desktop or mobile application using just a few lines of code.

Download the free trial SDK, explore our helpful resource center including sample codes, tutorials, guides and more to get started.

Comparison of Two-Out-of-Five Barcode Variants

All three symbologies belong to the two-out-of-five barcode family, meaning each digit is represented using five total encoding units (either bars, spaces, or a combination of both).

• Industrial 2 of 5 encodes each digit using five bars.
• Interleaved 2 of 5 encodes digits in pairs, with the first digit represented by five bars and the second by five spaces.
• Matrix 2 of 5 encodes each digit using five elements, which may include both bars and spaces in a continuous (non-interleaved) pattern.

Feature	Industrial 2 of 5	Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF)	Matrix 2 of 5
Encoding Width	Two-width (wide and narrow)	Two-width (wide and narrow)	Two-width (wide and narrow)
Encoding Method	Encodes data only with black bars	Digits are encoded in pairs; the first digit is encoded in the five bars (black lines), while the second digit is encoded in the five spaces (white lines) interleaved with them.	Encodes data using both black bars and white spaces in a continuous mode (not interleaved).
Wide Bar/Space Rule	Two out of every five bars are wide	Two out of every five bars or spaces are wide	Two out of every five bars or spaces are wide
Length	Variable length	Variable length (only even numbers of digits can be encoded; odd numbers typically require a leading zero)	Variable length
Density	Low density	High density	Moderate density
Character Set	Digits (0-9)	Digits (0-9)	Digits (0-9)
Check Character	Not typically used	Optional checking character	Optional checking character
Variants	Used in USPS (POSTNET, PLANET), and Code 39	ITF-14 (widely used for shipping and logistics)	Datalogic 2 of 5