Health Ministry Expands QR Code Authentication for Critical Medicines

The Union Health Ministry has announced a significant expansion of its QR code-based drug authentication framework. Starting in July 2027, manufacturers will be mandated to incorporate barcodes or QR codes on packaging for vaccines, anti-cancer drugs, and psychiatric medications. This requirement will extend to antimicrobials, including antibiotics, by July 2028. This initiative builds upon the existing track-and-trace mechanism that previously covered only the top 300 pharmaceutical brands.

The primary objective of this policy is to strengthen product verification and effectively curb the circulation of spurious and substandard medicines within the Indian market. By digitizing the supply chain, the government aims to provide consumers and pharmacists with a reliable method to verify the authenticity of critical life-saving drugs. This move is expected to enhance patient safety and restore trust in the pharmaceutical distribution network.

In a related effort to streamline pharmaceutical logistics, the Ministry has proposed amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945. The draft notification suggests that imported drugs must have a minimum residual shelf life of 12 months at the time of import, replacing the current 60% requirement. While this change aims to reduce wastage and improve availability, biological products and radiopharmaceuticals will remain subject to the existing 60% rule due to their specialized nature. Public comments are currently being invited to refine these regulatory updates.