India is taking a significant step to combat counterfeit cancer medications by proposing mandatory QR codes on all cancer drugs. This move comes after incidents of expensive anti-cancer medications being refilled with fake drugs, putting patients' lives at risk. The Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), India's highest advisory body on drugs, has agreed to implement this measure, which will require an amendment to Schedule H2 of Drugs Rules, 1945.
The Problem: Counterfeit Cancer Medications:
Criminals have been colluding with hospital pharmacies to refill empty vials of expensive anti-cancer medications with counterfeit drugs. These fake medications are then mixed with genuine stocks and sold to unsuspecting cancer patients, posing a significant threat to their health and lives.
The Solution: Mandatory QR Codes:
To address this issue, the government plans to make QR codes mandatory on all cancer medications. This will enable tracking and tracing of medications, ensuring their authenticity and preventing counterfeits from entering the market. The QR codes will store essential information, including:
- Unique product identification code
- Name of the medication
- Brand name
- Manufacturer's name and address
- Date of manufacturing and expiry
- Batch number and size
Benefits of QR Codes:
The implementation of QR codes will have several benefits:
- Easy identification of genuine medications: QR codes will help distinguish between real and fake medications.
- Improved tracking and tracing: QR codes will enable authorities to track medications throughout the supply chain.
- Enhanced patient safety: By ensuring the authenticity of medications, QR codes will reduce the risk of counterfeit medications harming patients.
Next Steps:
The proposal will be sent to the health ministry for approval, after which the necessary amendments to Schedule H2 of Drugs Rules, 1945, will be made. This move is part of India's broader efforts to combat counterfeit medications and ensure public health and safety.
By leveraging technology to combat counterfeit medications, India is taking a significant step towards protecting its citizens' health and well-being.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Vaishnavi Dalvi/MSM)