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Rachel V Thomas

India To Introduce QR Code Verification for Vaccines And Cancer Drugs: Here's What Patients Can Check

India has taken a significant step to strengthen the safety and authenticity of medicines by expanding its QR code-based <span>drug traceability</span> system. 

The <span>Ministry</span> of Health and Family Welfare has amended the Drugs Rules, 1945, bringing additional categories of medicines—including vaccines, anti-cancer drugs and antimicrobials—under the Schedule H2 track-and-trace framework. 

The move is aimed at enhancing supply chain transparency, curbing <span>counterfeit medicines</span> and enabling patients to verify key details about their medicines through a simple QR code scan.

In 2025, the government made it mandatory for the top 300 pharmaceutical companies to print or affix QR (Quick Response) codes on the packaging of the medicines they sell.

The new amendment significantly expands its coverage to include:

<ul><li>Vaccines</li><li>Antimicrobials</li><li>Anti-cancer medicines</li><li>Narcotic and psychotropic drugs</li></ul> 

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/india-ends-otc-sale-of-cough-syrups-doctors-prescription-now-mandatory-article-154641581" data-type="tilCustomLink">India Ends OTC Sale of Cough Syrups, Doctor's Prescription Now Mandatory</a>

The amendment applies to all vaccines, antimicrobials, narcotic and psychotropic drugs covered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

All anti-cancer drugs have also been included under Schedule H2 of the Drugs Rules, 1945.

<h2>What Patients Can Check With The QR Code </h2>

According to the Health Ministry, manufacturers of these drug formulations will now be required to print or affix a Bar Code or Quick Response (QR) Code on the primary packaging label of the product or, where there is inadequate space, on the secondary packaging label.

The QR code shall store information that can be accessed through software applications to facilitate authentication and verification of the product throughout the supply chain.

The QR code will contain key product information, including:

<ul><li>Unique product identification code</li><li>Generic and brand names</li><li>Name and address of the manufacturer</li><li>Batch number</li><li>Manufacturing and expiry dates</li><li>Manufacturing license number</li><li>Details of excipients, wherever applicable.</li></ul>

Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/sleeping-too-little-or-too-much-neurologist-explains-the-health-risks-article-154745301" data-type="tilCustomLink">Sleeping Too Little or Too Much? Neurologist Explains Health Risks</a>

The enhanced traceability mechanism is aimed at facilitating authentication of medicines at various stages of the supply chain and enabling improved tracking and verification of drug products, the Ministry noted.

The measure is expected to strengthen regulatory oversight and support efforts to curb the distribution of spurious medicines in the market.

It will also contribute to the national fight against <span>antimicrobial resistance</span> (AMR) by enabling better identification and monitoring of counterfeit and substandard antimicrobial products.

Recognizing the need to provide adequate time to industry and other stakeholders for implementation, the Ministry has also prescribed phased timelines for compliance.

<h2>From When Will It Be Applicable?</h2>

As per the Ministry, the provisions relating to vaccines, narcotic and psychotropic drugs, and anti-cancer medicines shall come into force from July 1, 2027.

The provisions relating to antimicrobials shall become effective from July 1, 2028.

<h2>Increasing Counterfeit Medicines In India</h2>

The government's QR code move comes amid mounting concern over counterfeit and substandard medicines in the Indian market.

In May, the Central Drugs Laboratories identified 46 drug samples as Not of Standard Quality (NSQ), while State Drugs Testing Laboratories identified 113 drug samples as Not of Standard Quality (NSQ), according to the Health Ministry.

Further, one drug sample from Assam was identified as a spurious drug. It was manufactured by unauthorized manufacturers using a brand name owned by another company. The matter is under investigation and action will be taken as per the Act and Rules.

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India has taken a significant step to strengthen the safety and authenticity of medicines by expanding its QR code-based drug traceability system. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has amended the Drugs Rules, 1945, bringing additional categories of medicines—including vaccines, anti-cancer drugs and antimicrobials—under the Schedule H2 track-and-trace framework. The move is aimed at enhancing supply chain transparency, curbing counterfeit medicines and enabling patients to verify key details about their medicines through a simple QR code scan.In 2025, the government made it mandatory for the top 300 pharmaceutical companies to print or affix QR (Quick Response) codes on the packaging of the medicines they sell.The new amendment significantly expands its coverage to include:VaccinesAntimicrobialsAnti-cancer medicinesNarcotic and psychotropic drugs Also read: India Ends OTC Sale of Cough Syrups, Doctor's Prescription Now MandatoryWhat Does The Amendment Say?The amendment applies to all vaccines, antimicrobials, narcotic and psychotropic drugs covered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.All anti-cancer drugs have also been included under Schedule H2 of the Drugs Rules, 1945.What Patients Can Check With The QR Code According to the Health Ministry, manufacturers of these drug formulations will now be required to print or affix a Bar Code or Quick Response (QR) Code on the primary packaging label of the product or, where there is inadequate space, on the secondary packaging label.The QR code shall store information that can be accessed through software applications to facilitate authentication and verification of the product throughout the supply chain.The QR code will contain key product information, including:Unique product identification codeGeneric and brand namesName and address of the manufacturerBatch numberManufacturing and expiry datesManufacturing license numberDetails of excipients, wherever applicable.Read More: Sleeping Too Little or Too Much? Neurologist Explains Health RisksWhy Does This Matter?The enhanced traceability mechanism is aimed at facilitating authentication of medicines at various stages of the supply chain and enabling improved tracking and verification of drug products, the Ministry noted.The measure is expected to strengthen regulatory oversight and support efforts to curb the distribution of spurious medicines in the market.It will also contribute to the national fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by enabling better identification and monitoring of counterfeit and substandard antimicrobial products.Recognizing the need to provide adequate time to industry and other stakeholders for implementation, the Ministry has also prescribed phased timelines for compliance.From When Will It Be Applicable?As per the Ministry, the provisions relating to vaccines, narcotic and psychotropic drugs, and anti-cancer medicines shall come into force from July 1, 2027.The provisions relating to antimicrobials shall become effective from July 1, 2028.Increasing Counterfeit Medicines In IndiaThe government's QR code move comes amid mounting concern over counterfeit and substandard medicines in the Indian market.In May, the Central Drugs Laboratories identified 46 drug samples as Not of Standard Quality (NSQ), while State Drugs Testing Laboratories identified 113 drug samples as Not of Standard Quality (NSQ), according to the Health Ministry.Further, one drug sample from Assam was identified as a spurious drug. It was manufactured by unauthorized manufacturers using a brand name owned by another company. The matter is under investigation and action will be taken as per the Act and Rules.

india to introduce qr code verification for vaccines and cancer drugs: here's what patients can check

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