QR codes on drug packages on cards, to help in implementing price revisions

Consumers might soon benefit from QR codes on packages of drugs, which will help in implementing price revisions quickly.

A proposal to put QR codes on packages of drugs and medicines was mooted at a meeting in the Prime Minister’s Office last week, according to sources. 

Now, as the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) announces caps on prices, the benefits reach customers only when fresh stock reaches retailers. The old stock is sold at old prices.

“The government wants benefits of price reduction, whenever that happens for drugs under price control, to reach consumers immediately. Once the price is included in the QR code, the change can be implemented for the existing batches in the market and one can also monitor if the price change has been implemented appropriately,” government sources said. 

QR, or Quick Response, codes can store data and is used for product identification, tracking and marketing. The information related to a specific QR code is stored in a central server and any change made reflects in the code. When one scans it, one gets the information. Each product will have a unique QR code.

Industry sources say there has been only a discussion on the issue and no decision has been taken in the regard. Modalities would need to be fine-tuned. 

It is not clear as to whether the companies will have store data on their servers or whether there will be a common central server. Industry insiders said that the government might opt for individual companies maintaining their own servers for logistical ease.

Asked about the move to adopt QR codes in packaging, A Vaidheesh, president of the Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India, said this was a good initiative but implementation logistics need to be carefully evaluated.

Pharmaceutical companies on their own are already using QR codes in packaging. For instance, GSK Pharmaceuticals will be using QR codes to store prescriber information on packs which will do away the need to print leaflets. This contains information like product details and side effects.

Others, however, say implementation will not be easy. Top companies could find it easy to make changes and invest in servers or other infrastructure but small drug makers may find it expensive. The plan will also require support over 800,000 retail pharmacies across the country.

“The best way to implement price changes in drugs to make it effective from batches and not through QR codes,” said J Shinde, president of the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD).