NEW DELHI: The Center has expanded QR code-based tracking to include vaccines, antimicrobials, cancer drugs and narcotic and psychotropic drugs to strengthen quality, safety and traceability of pharmaceutical products.
The move follows amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945, notified by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
As per the amended provisions, all vaccines, antimicrobials, narcotic and psychotropic drugs covered by the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and all anti-cancer drugs are included in Schedule H2 of the Drugs Rules, 1945.
Manufacturers of these drug formulations will now be required to print or place a barcode or quick response (QR) code on the label of the product’s primary packaging or, where space is insufficient, on the label of the secondary packaging.
The QR code will store information that can be accessed through software applications for product authentication and verification throughout the supply chain.
It will contain details such as the unique product identification code, generic and brand names, manufacturer’s name and address, batch number, manufacturing and expiry dates, manufacturing license number and details of excipients, wherever applicable.
