Problem of fake medicines in Indian market
Cases of adulterated medicines often come to light in the Indian market. People are worried whether the medicine they are taking is genuine or not. It is difficult to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit drugs, but the consequences can be serious. Counterfeit medicines not only do not cure the disease, but can also worsen the patient’s condition. Along with this, people’s trust in health services and pharmaceutical companies is also decreasing. To solve this problem, the government and drug regulatory bodies have started the QR code verification system, through which people can check the genuineness of the medicine from their smartphones.
Information about QR code verification system
QR code verification is a digital security system, which consists of a special QR code on the medicine packaging. This code stores important information related to the medicine such as batch number, manufacturing date, expiry date and manufacturer’s license number. When a person scans this code, he immediately sees the complete information about the medicine on his phone, making it easy to find out whether the medicine is genuine or fake.
How to check medicine from smartphone
Nowadays almost all smartphones have the facility to scan QR codes. If your phone does not have this feature, you can download any QR scanner app from Play Store or App Store.
Scan the QR code present on the medicine packaging with your phone’s camera. As soon as the scanning is complete, all the necessary information related to the medicine will be displayed on your mobile screen. This includes the batch number, manufacturing date, expiry date and company license number. This process is completed in a few seconds and you get to know the truth of the medicine.
How to identify whether the medicine is real or fake
The information that appears on your phone after scanning must be matched with the information printed on the medicine packaging. If both the information are same, then the medicine is genuine and its use is safe.
However, be careful if “No Record Found” appears on the screen or the information does not match. In such a situation, stop the use of that medicine immediately and inform the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). This step is extremely important to protect your health and that of others.
Simple steps to check medicine with QR code
1. First find the QR code on the medicine packaging.
2. Keep in mind that this rule applies to India’s top 300 drug brands.
3. Now scan the code with your smartphone’s camera or QR scanner app.
4. Match the information shown on the screen with the information printed on the packet.
5. If the information does not match or no record is found, file a complaint with CDSCO immediately.
An important thing is that QR code is not available on all medicines right now, but in future it can be made mandatory for all medicines. This will help in completely stopping fake medicines.
Awareness is the best security
To avoid fake medicines, not only technology but also awareness is necessary. Always buy medicines from a trusted medical store and collect the bill. If any medicine is suspected, investigate immediately and inform the concerned authorities. A small step taken by you can save not only your life but the life of many other people.
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