A QR code, or Quick Response code, is a two-dimensional (2D) barcode. It comprises black squares, rectangles, and dots, with white spaces, arranged in a grid format. Due to its versatility and advanced capabilities, it is also termed the ‘next-generation’ barcode. Globally, many organisations have started applying this next-gen barcode along with the traditional barcode type to enable easier and faster information accessibility for all. Industries like healthcare, transport, retail, etc., leverage this advanced barcode type to achieve process efficiency and realise business goals faster. In this blog, we will uncover the role of QR codes in the pharma industry. We will learn how QR codes ensure the availability of quality and genuine drugs in the market.
The pharmaceutical industry faces several challenges, like regulatory compliance issues, circulation of substandard and counterfeit vaccines/medications, and more. These challenges necessitate the adoption of an advanced solution to enable real-time drug authentication. The application of QR codes on pharma drugs/medical devices is a step toward it. By scanning a QR code on the drug packaging, businesses/patients/caregivers can access detailed product information, including its manufacturing information.
This visibility ensures healthcare stakeholders can access accurate drug information, anytime, throughout the supply chain. To strengthen the overall safety and quality of the pharma supply chain, the Government of India (GoI) has introduced several mandates. These regulations support the adoption of QR codes for greater transparency and counterfeit drug mitigation. This can ultimately increase patient trust & confidence in the pharma industry.
Counterfeits are fake or unauthorised copies of an original product. They are intentionally developed to resemble genuine products to deceive consumers. While most of us are already aware of counterfeit goods like shoes, bags, wallets, etc., it may be shocking to know that counterfeit or fake medicines are also commonly sold.
Information received from various States/UTs Drugs Controllers, during the year 2023-2024, 2,988 drugs have been found substandard, and 282 drugs have been found spurious/adulterated out of the 1,06,150 drugs tested. Time and again, various state governments, including those of Telangana and Delhi, have uncovered rackets involved in selling spurious drugs. In a joint investigation by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), East Zone, and the Drugs Control Directorate, spurious drugs were seized at a wholesale premises in Kolkata on December 31st, 2024. The drugs consisted of anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and others, in large quantities, with an expected total market value of approximately Rs. 6.60 Crore.
Pharma supply chain stakeholders continue to face challenges in mitigating the supply of counterfeit medicines in India, because of three major reasons -
Counterfeit drugs can be seriously harmful to the recipients’ health. While they may appear authentic, they can lack active pharmaceutical ingredients or have incorrect dosages. Consumption of these drugs can result in drug poisoning, untreated disease, disease progression, treatment failure, and accelerate drug-resistant antimicrobial, antimalarial or antiparasitic infections, making once treatable conditions deadly.
Check for these signs/indicators to know whether your medicines are possibly counterfeits -
The application of a QR code on drug packaging can make the pharmaceutical industry future-ready. Below are some reasons how -
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India (GoI) issued a notification dated 17th November, 2022, mandating pharmaceutical companies to have QR codes on the packaging of the top 300 drug brands before August 1, 2023. These brands included top sellers like Dolo, Allegra, Calpol, and Meftal Spas. The order was implemented to contain the sale of spurious medicines and standardise the pharma supply chain. The Drugs Control General of India (DGCI) has also given strict orders and imposed fines for non-compliance with this mandate by drug manufacturing companies of India.
As per the notification, the QR code on the drug must contain information on eight essential components, including - unique product identification code or the GTIN, proper and generic name of the drug, brand name, manufacturing details (name and address of manufacturer), date of manufacturing, batch number, date of expiry, and manufacturing licence number.
This order has enabled drug dealers, pharmacies, consumers, and every other pharma supply chain stakeholder to validate the information on the drug being supplied/sold to them. They can simply scan the QR code using their smartphones to access complete and authentic details about the drug.
QR codes are being used on drugs to empower supply chain stakeholders with authentic, detailed and real-time information on drugs on their smartphones.
QR code helps users scan and retrieve genuine information. Drug packaging often has limited space, making it necessary to include QR codes, resulting in less packaging label consumption.
Information can include manufacturing details (name and address of manufacturer and manufacturing date), expiry date, batch number, licence number, etc.
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