Medicines to soon come with QR code labels to check for their authenticity

way2barak, Oct.3: In a bid to prevent the use of counterfeit and substandard medicines, the central government may soon launch a “track and trace” mechanism, under which QR codes will be printed on the primary packaging labels, as per reports. To stop the use of counterfeit and substandard medicines, this step will be of immense help the consumers.

The move, which was conceptualised a decade ago, will also ensure quality. The QR codes will allow consumers to check the authenticity of the drugs while providing them with additional information. Barcodes or quick response (QR) codes will be affixed on the ‘primary’ packaging labels of 300 top selling drugs in the initial phase. Widely sold antibiotics, cardiac, pain-relief pills and anti-allergic medicines with an MRP of over Rs 100 per strip are expected to be included in this phase.