300 drug brands will have QR codes from August 2023

Some of India’s major drug brands, including common brands such as Calpol, Allegra and Gelusil, will be required to have QR codes or barcodes from August 2023.

A total of 300 brands covering segments such as pain relievers, contraceptives, vitamins, blood sugar and blood pressure medications are listed.

According to an order issued by the Center on Nov. 17, under the New Drug Rules or Drug Rules (Eighth Amendment), posting of QR code barcodes on packaging will be mandatory beginning Aug. 1, 2023. The movement was initiated to help verify whether the drugs are fake or not.

“Manufacturers of drug formulants as specified in Schedule H2 must print or affix a barcode or rapid response code on the primary packaging label, on the secondary packaging label which stores data and readable information with the software application to facilitate authentication,” the Union Health Ministry said. notification.

Some of the other important brands that have been included in the list are: Volini, Stamlo, T-Bact ointments, Montair and Fabiflu. Sources said the brands – considered top-selling – were selected based on their rolling annual revenue (MAT).

The information to be provided includes the unique identification code of the product, the proper and generic name of the drug, the brand name, the name and address of the manufacturer, the batch number, the date of manufacture, the date of expiration and manufacturing license number.

Similar practices (of having barcodes) are followed in some of the western countries which include UK, USA and others.