In a major move to strengthen drug safety and curb counterfeit medicines, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has expanded its QR code-based drug authentication system to cover vaccines, antimicrobials, anti-cancer medicines, and narcotic and psychotropic drugs regulated under the NDPS Act.
The Centre has amended the Drugs Rules, 1945, bringing these categories under Schedule H2, which mandates the use of QR codes or barcodes on medicine packaging. The digital codes will enable authentication and traceability of medicines throughout the supply chain, helping regulators, healthcare providers and consumers verify product authenticity.
Under the new rules, manufacturers will be required to print QR codes on primary packaging, or on secondary packaging where space is limited. Each code will contain key details such as the drug’s generic and brand name, manufacturer information, batch number, manufacturing and expiry dates, licence number, and other product-specific data.
Until now, the QR code requirement applied only to the country’s top 300 pharmaceutical brands. With the latest expansion, the framework will cover a much wider range of critical medicines, strengthening efforts to prevent the circulation of counterfeit and substandard drugs.
The government said the enhanced traceability system will improve regulatory oversight, ensure greater transparency in the pharmaceutical supply chain, and support the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by enabling better monitoring of fake or low-quality antimicrobial products.
The new provisions for vaccines, anti-cancer medicines, and narcotic and psychotropic drugs will come into effect from July 1, 2027, while compliance for antimicrobials will be mandatory from July 1, 2028. The Health Ministry has encouraged pharmaceutical companies to adopt the system voluntarily before the implementation deadlines.
The initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen drug regulation, safeguard public health, and support campaigns such as a drug-free and healthier India.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
