What PZN is
PZN (Pharmazentralnummer) is the German pharmaceutical product number used to identify medicinal products in the German pharmacy and wholesale supply chain, implemented in bwip-js/BWIPP.
Generate it now
Enter a 6-digit PZN product number (bwip-js computes the check digit) or the full 7-digit code to see a live preview.
Valid input
The legacy PZN7 format is a 6-digit product number plus a Modulo-11 check digit; bwip-js computes the check digit if you supply only the 6-digit body, and rejects a supplied 7th digit that does not match. Turning on the PZN8 option instead requires a 7-digit product number plus a check digit computed with a different weighting, for the newer 8-digit format.
Key options
Supported options include includetext, height, and pzn8 (selects the newer 8-digit PZN8 format instead of the legacy 7-digit PZN format).
Output and printing
Export SVG for pharmaceutical packaging artwork.
Common uses
PZN barcodes appear on medicinal product packaging distributed through the German pharmacy and wholesale supply chain.
Example
See the live preview above, seeded with a bwip-js-verified valid PZN.
Size guidance
PZN renders as a Code 39-family linear symbol and needs the same clear quiet zone on both sides.
Troubleshooting
A rejected code almost always means a mismatched check digit; let bwip-js compute it from the product number instead of supplying your own. This applies to both the legacy 7-digit format and the 8-digit PZN8 format.
Related formats
Related formats: Code 39, which PZN's linear symbol is built on.
FAQ
What is PZN8 and when do I need it?
PZN8 is the newer 8-digit PZN format (a 7-digit product number plus a check digit computed with its own weighting); some newer products are only assigned an 8-digit PZN, while many existing products still use the legacy 7-digit PZN -- turn on the PZN8 option only if your assigned product number is the newer 8-digit form.