QR Codes on Medicines: The Central Government has taken a major step to tackle the crisis of counterfeit medicines. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has made QR codes mandatory for vaccines, antibiotics, and cancer medications. Under the revised rules, affixing QR codes to essential medicines is now compulsory, enabling users to access details about the medicine’s origin and manufacturing process with a single click. The Union Health Ministry has notified an amendment to the Drugs Rules, 1945, to this effect. Scanning the QR code will reveal the complete “birth history” (detailed profile) of domestically manufactured medicines. This mandate covers all types of vaccines, antibiotics, anti-cancer drugs, and Schedule H2 drugs related to de-addiction.
Mandatory QR Codes on Medicine Packaging
Manufacturing companies are required to print or affix the code on the primary packaging of these medicines. If there is insufficient space on the primary packaging, the QR code may be placed on the secondary packaging. This digital code will enable anyone—including customers, pharmacists, and distributors—to verify the authenticity and identity of the medicines.
Curbing Substandard Medicines
Manufacturing companies are required to print or affix the code on the primary packaging of these medicines. If there is insufficient space on the primary packaging, the QR code may be placed on the secondary packaging. This digital code will enable anyone—including customers, pharmacists, and distributors—to verify the authenticity and identity of the medicines.
Details on Origin, Manufacturing, and Expiry
The medicines will carry comprehensive information, starting with the manufacturing date. This will include a unique identification code, generic and brand names, details of the manufacturing company, batch number, manufacturing and expiry dates, manufacturing license number, and—where applicable—details of the chemical formula. The government is implementing this measure in a phased manner, starting next July, to curb the menace of counterfeit medicines, ensuring that patients, caregivers, and others can easily verify the details of the medication. Curbing Counterfeit Medicines
The government has stated that the objective of this move is to enhance transparency and facilitate easy verification of medicines, enabling consumers to confirm the authenticity of the product and ensure it is not counterfeit or of substandard quality. This measure is set to be implemented on a large scale across the pharmaceutical industry, and the government has established a timeline for compliance.
New Rules Effective from July 1, 2027
Manufacturers of vaccines, cancer medications, and narcotic or psychotropic drugs will be required to comply with the new labeling regulations starting July 1, 2027. The mandate for QR codes on antibacterial drugs, including antibiotics, will come into effect one year later, on July 1, 2028. This initiative comes amidst growing concerns regarding the influx of counterfeit medicines in the market, which poses a serious threat to patient safety and public health.
