India launches QR code system to help consumers verify genuine medicines
Published: 20 Mar 2026
Author: Precedence Research
The IPC, which operates under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has introduced a QR code scanning mechanism. Counterfeit and spurious medicines continue to be a serious concern.
Consumers in Gujarat, verifying the genuineness of a medicine by scanning a QR code printed on its packaging, follow a new verification system introduced by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC).
How it works?
All you need is a QR scanner on your smartphone. By scanning the code printed on drug packaging, you can verify the details such as the manufacturer's license Number, expiry date, and batch number. This information display matches the label on the packaging, so the medicine is genuine. If the information does not match or no record is found. You should immediately report to the Central Drug Standard
Control Organisation (CDSCO)
According to Towards Packaging, the Internet of Packaging Market is projected to experience significant growth, with estimates suggesting the market size will increase from USD 23.82 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 48.61 billion by 2035, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.25% from 2026 to 2035. This methodology has emphasised that printing a QR code on medicine packaging should be made mandatory. Scanning these codes would also allow consumers to report adverse drug reactions.
The Federation of Gujarat Stock Chemists and Druggists has pointed out that thousands of medicines are manufactured and marketed under different brand names and has called for the system to be expanded to cover all medicines.
India requires dynamic QR codes that evolve and trigger real-time alerts in the event of anomalies. Chemists and wholesale pharmacies have been asked to display QR codes prominently at their counters so that they are easily visible to the public. Scanning these codes would also allow consumers to report adverse drug reactions.
The national body of the Federation of Gujarat State Chemists and Druggists Associations has stated and written to the authorities, urging that 100 per cent of medicines sold in the country be brought under the QR code verification system. However, while the vision is strong, experts say the execution must become far more secure, intelligent, and inclusive, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.
A recent report by Towards Packaging highlights that the Internet of Packaging Market is experiencing India's bold move to mandate the implementation of QR codes on drug packaging, which has been addressed as a revolutionary step to combat counterfeit medicines.