New Delhi, June 26 (APAC Media): The government has significantly broadened its QR code-based drug traceability system to now include vaccines, antimicrobials, anti-cancer medicines, as well as narcotic, and psychotropic substances.Â
The initiative is aimed at improving the safety, quality, and integrity of India’s pharmaceutical supply chain, according to an official statement released on Thursday.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has issued amendments to the Drugs Rules 1945, bringing these categories under Schedule H2 and expanding the scope of the existing track-and-trace mechanism.Â
Under the updated regulations, all vaccines, antimicrobials, cancer treatment drugs, and substances regulated under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985, will be required to carry a barcode or QR code on their packaging.
Manufacturers must print or affix the QR code on the primary packaging of medicines, while in cases where space is limited, it may be placed on secondary packaging instead.
The QR code will contain essential product information that can be accessed through digital systems for verification and authentication across the supply chain.
This includes a unique product identifier, brand and generic names, manufacturer details, batch number, manufacturing and expiry dates, licence number, and, where relevant, details of excipients.
Previously, QR code-based tracking applied only to the top 300 pharmaceutical brands in the country. The new amendment substantially widens its coverage to include critical categories of medicines.
The government stated that this enhanced traceability system will help verify medicines at multiple stages of distribution, enabling better monitoring, and tracking of pharmaceutical products.
It is also expected to support efforts to eliminate counterfeit drugs and strengthen the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by improving the detection of fake or substandard antimicrobial medicines.
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