The Times of India’ brings you ‘Hack of the Day’—a new weekday series of quick, practical solutions to everyday hassles. Each hack is designed to save you time, money or stress, using tools and features within your reach—from government websites to everyday apps. In simple words it is: Simple fixes for smarter living.
Locate the QR Code on the primary or secondary packaging of the medicine. (Currently mandatory for the top 300 drug brands in India.) Scan the code using your phone’s camera or a dedicated QR scanner app. The mandate currently applies mainly to the top 300 drug brands, but the rollout is expected to expand over time. To combat this, regulators have introduced a QR code verification system that helps consumers instantly check the authenticity of top-selling drugs.
If the scan leads to a “No Record” page or shows mismatched data, you should immediately report it to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). Counterfeit and spurious medicines remain a serious concern in India, putting patient safety at risk and eroding trust in healthcare. All you need is a QR scanner on your smartphone — most phone cameras now have this built-in. By scanning the code printed on the drug’s packaging, you can verify key details such as: Batch Number Expiry Date Manufacturer License Number If the information displayed matches the label on the packaging, the medicine is genuine. Verify the details shown on your screen against the printed label. Report discrepancies to CDSCO if the data doesn’t match or no record is found. Not all medicines carry QR codes yet.