This class identifies a batch of material or products that were manufactured over a defined time period. The definition of a batch or lot is determined by the manufacturer, based in part on the nature of the manufacturing process, and on the historical information that can be accessed (such as the shipment of raw materials used, the equipment used, quality assurance tests, etc.) by the use of the lot number. The purpose of this class in the FHIM is to contain lot identifier and expiration date information about a product to facilitate inventory control processes, manufacturer recall processes, and adverse event reporting. "Information that only applies to packages (not products)." - HL7 FHIR, Medication.batch