Fake drugs posing threat: Cancer medications to be moved to schedule II, QR code mandatory

Thrissur: Measures are being taken to prevent the misuse of high-cost cancer medications. All cancer drugs available in the market will be included in schedule II. As a result, a QR code will be mandatory on the labels of these medications. This recommendation has been approved by the Drugs Technical Advisory Committee.

Recently, significant challenges have been identified in the marketing of cancer drugs. Authorities have been making efforts to reduce drug prices. It is in this context that the issue of counterfeit drugs has come to light. The Drugs Control Department has begun efforts to intervene after counterfeit medications were seized from various locations in North India. 

Counterfeit drugs are being manufactured using discarded vials from previously used injectable medications. In addition to causing financial loss to patients, these drugs also pose a threat to their lives, which is why intervention is necessary.

The schedule for 300 types of medications requiring QR or barcodes has been in effect since August 1, 2023. It is mandated that these codes be printed on the primary packaging of such drugs.