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Government of India makes bar codes must for 300 medicines
This initiative is a significant step in curbing the growing business of counterfeit medicines in the country, and also to ensure medication authenticity and safety for the consumers.
- By PharmaNews Live Desk
- New Delhi
- Aug 01, 2023
The Government on India has called for mandatory implementation of bar codes or QR codes on 300 drug brands including Allegra, Shelcal, Calpol, Dolo, and Meftal Spas among others, effective from today on 1st August. The Central Government has amended the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 in order to enforce this mandate.
The Government listed these 300 companies through a gazette notification on 17 November, stating that these top brands of medicines in the country should be having a bar code or QR code with certain important details starting from 1 August.
Now, buyers will be able to easily confirm whether a particular medicine that they have bought, from any of these 300 brands, is real or not. They will now be able to check the manufacturing as well as the expiry date of these medicines. Other vital information such as the name, brand, proper and generic name of the drug, as well as the details of the manufacturer will be available to the consumers.
This initiative is a significant step in curbing the growing business of counterfeit medicines in the country, and also to ensure medication authenticity and safety for the consumers.
The Drugs Control General of India (DCGI) has given strict orders to the pharma companies to adhere to the new regime. Heavy fines will be imposed if they fail to do so.