New Delhi: The Government of India has made it compulsory for the top-selling 300 pharmaceutical brands to implement QR codes or barcodes. Commencing from August 1, medicines with these unique codes will provide essential information, empowering consumers to verify their purchases.
The ‘track and trace’ mechanism is designed to address concerns regarding counterfeit and sub- standard medicines. By scanning the QR code, individuals gain access to vital information such as the manufacturing license and batch number, date of manufacturing and expiry, and the manufacturing license number. This ensures the quality and legitimacy of the medications they consume.
QR code will be attached to commonly sold medications worth approximately Rs 50,000 crore in the pharmaceutical retail market. This list comprises essential drugs such as antibiotics, cardiac drugs, pain- relief tablets, drugs for diabetes, and drugs for allergies. Prominent medications like Mixtard and Glycomet-GP for diabetes, Augmentin and Monocef for infections, and Pan for gastrointestinal problems are also included in the first batch, contributing significantly to the domestic retail market valued at over Rs 2 lakh crore.
To ensure compliance with the new rule, the Drugs Control General of India (DCGI) has introduced rigorous guidelines to pharmaceutical companies, cautioning them about potential penalties for non- adherence. Additionally, pharmaceutical associations have been strongly encouraged to ensure that their member companies diligently follow the new regulations.
While the idea of incorporating QR codes into medications was conceptualized ten years ago, it was impeded by the unpreparedness of the domestic pharmaceutical industry and the absence of essential software and technological systems.
In a November 2022 communication issued by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), all pharmaceutical manufacturers were informed about the mandatory adoption of QR codes or barcodes on specific drug formulations produced on or after August 1, 2023, irrespective of the manufacturing site’s location. However, manufacturers are granted the freedom to optionally attach barcodes or QR codes to other brands if they desire.
