India Makes QR Codes Mandatory On Active Pharmaceutical

Context: Recently, Indian government has made it mandatory to put QR codes on packages of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) used in medicines to curtail the menace of counterfeit and substandard drugs in the country. The new rule will become effective from January 1 next year (2023).

• The codes mandatory on packages of drug manufacturing ingredients, both domestic and imported.
• Reason: to curtail the menace of counterfeit and substandard drugs in the country.

Key Highlights about the new rule

• Every Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) manufactured or imported in India shall have QR code on its label at each level packaging.
• Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients or APIs are the main raw materials for making intermediates, tablets, capsules, and syrups.

How does the QR Code helps in curtailing substandard drugs?

The QR Code

• Facilitates tracking and tracing, during the entire supply chain.
• Ensures authenticity by distinguishing between genuine and counterfeit drugs.
• Help in ensuring fair pricing and curtailing counterfeit and smuggled drug items that may endanger people’s health.
• Give details about medicines, shipping details, batch, licence number & import licence.
• Keep the customer updated about any price change in drugs.

About QR Code

• QR stands for "Quick Response", which refers to instant access to the information hidden in the Code.
• QR Code is a two-dimensional version of the barcode, typically made up of black and white pixel patterns.
• QR code has large storage capacity and ability to translate information to consumers.

Benefits of using QR Codes

• It gathers feedback to improve products or services.
• It helps in commercial tracking of the products.
• It helps in product marketing by increasing customer engagement with images or videos.
• It promotes business via events and coupons.
• It delivers information stored in tickets, payments, business cards.