The Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) has asked the pharma industry to raise public awareness regarding the use of Quick-Response code, while dismissing concerns raised by some stakeholders that the usage of QR codes for scanning by the public is dismal, as not substantial in public interest.

The observation was made in a recent meeting while considering the proposal to amend the Drugs Rules, 1945 to affix bar code or Quick-Response (QR) code on the label of all vaccines, antimicrobials, anticancer and Narcotics Drugs & Psychotropic Substance, in tune with the recommendations of the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB). The DCC agreed to the proposal for amendment of the Drugs Rules, to fix QR code on the labels of these products.

The concern of some of the stakeholders that the usage of QR codes are negligible as against the investment made on affixing the code was raised during a stakeholder consultation was conducted in the matter on May 16, 2025. The consultation was arranged to look into a draft notification prepared after the DTAB's approval for the proposal for affixing bar code or QR code on the label of all vaccines, antimicrobials, anti cancer and NDPS drugs mentioned under the NDPS Act.

"...during the meeting two of the stakeholders have raised concerns that the usages in terms of scanning is dismal (0.3%) and capital investment is appreciable. Further industry also does not benefit in brand equity after spending additional in crores," noted the DCC in its latest meeting.

The DCC, after considering the suggestions opined, "the manufacturers should raise public awareness regarding the use of QR code and the concerns raised by the stakeholders do not appear to be substantial in public interest and accordingly agreed with the proposal to appropriately amend the Drugs Rules, 1945."

The DTAB in January, 2024 recommended affixing bar code or Quick Response (QR) code on all vaccine products, as part of obtaining the benchmarking maturity levels required under the upcoming World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Benchmarking of vaccines. It also recommended that the tracking mechanism be extended to all antimicrobials, and narcotic and psychotropic substances in a phased manner.

During the time, it observed that marketing surveillance and control is one of the important function amongst the nine functions of WHO Benchmarking tool audited by WHO NRA assessment team and one of the indicator is regarding the legal provisions or regulations exist in the country for placement of product's unique identification number (UIN) on its outer packaging. The government has already mandated affixing QR code on labels of 300 brands of different products through a notification in November, 2022 and it was implemented from August 1, 2023.