The verification process
When a package is scanned, its GTIN, serial number, lot, and expiration date are checked against the serialization repository — confirming the identifier exists, is active, and hasn't already been dispensed or decommissioned.
Common red flags
An unknown serial number, a duplicate scan of a serial already recorded as dispensed, a product appearing in an unexpected geographic region, or an expired identifier are all signals that trigger a verification failure.
Beyond detection: deterrence
The existence of verifiable serialization discourages counterfeiting in the first place — introducing a check that's far harder to defeat than physical packaging features alone.
System design for real-time checks
Verification needs to happen in near real time at the point of scan, which requires a serialization repository architected for fast lookups against a growing, high-volume dataset.