Batch Number and Lot Number are both terms used in the pharmaceutical industry to identify and trace specific groups of products, but they have slightly different implications:
- Batch Number:
- A Batch Number is a unique identifier assigned to a specific quantity of a product that is manufactured or processed together.
- It represents a single production run of a product, during which raw materials and manufacturing conditions remain consistent.
- Batch Numbers are crucial for quality control, as they help track and monitor products in case issues arise, allowing manufacturers to identify and recall specific problematic batches.
- Lot Number:
- A Lot Number is a broader term that can encompass multiple batches.
- It refers to a group of products that are manufactured under similar conditions, using the same recipe and raw materials, but may span across different production runs.
- Lot Numbers are useful for statistical sampling, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance, as they provide information about the common characteristics of a larger set of products.
In summary, while both Batch Numbers and Lot Numbers serve to identify and track products, Batch Numbers pertain to individual manufacturing runs, whereas Lot Numbers encompass a larger group of products that share common attributes but may come from different batches.