QR codes to soon be printed on medicines to check for their authenticity

In the first phase of the 'track and trace' mechanism, the QR codes will be printed on the primary packaging like the bottle, can, jar or the strip

To prevent the use of counterfeit and substandard medicines, the government may soon launch a "track and trace" mechanism. Under this, the customers will be allowed to use QR codes to know if the pills they are popping are authentic or not.

The report added that under the first phase of the exercise, QR codes will be printed on the primary packaging labels. Primary packaging labels are the first-level packaging like the bottle, can, jar, tube or strip. 

In the first phase, medicines costing over Rs 100 per strip may be included. 

Of late, there have been several reports of