New Delhi: The Centre has made it necessary to put QR code on the package of 300 medicines in a bid to do away with spurious drugs. The list will include medicines for pain, fever, platelets, sugar, contraceptive medicine, vitamin supplements, thyroid etc.
The central government had already issued the notice while, the decision will come in execution from today (August 1).
The Drug and Cosmetics Act, 1940 was amended by the government mandating drug manufacturing companies to put QR codes on medicines. It will allow buyers to know all basic-yet-important details of the medicines that they are buying.
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Details To Appear by Scanning QR code
As per the information, there will be a Unique Identification Code in the code that will appear on the medicine leaflets. Through scanning these codes, buyers can obtain details like name of the drug, generic name, brand and manufacturer information.
These details will also include the batch in which the particular packet was made along with its batch number. Manufacturing and Expiry date as well as license information will are mandatory.
At least 20 pc are Fake: Studies
Many studies in the nation have claimed that at least 20 percent of the medicines being made in India are fake. Meanwhile, the government reports have suggested that the quality of 3% medicines is substandard.
Medicines of substandard, sub-standard or spurious APIs along harm patient’s heatlh. Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) approved this proposal in June, 2019.
The proposal of putting QR code on drug leaflets was given in 2011 but it could not be implemented due to refusal from Pharam companies. As per the information, companies were in denial saying that different governments will issue different guidelines.
What is API?
API stands for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients. These are the main raw materials for making intermediates, tablets, capsules and syrups. API plays a major role in the making of any medicine and for this Indian companies are largely dependent on China.
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