Fake Medicine Check: How to Verify Your Medicines in Minutes Using Your Smartphone

Cases of fake and adulterated medicines continue to surface in the Indian market. Consumers often remain unsure whether the medicines they are purchasing are genuine. While visual inspection alone cannot distinguish real from counterfeit drugs, a QR code verification system now makes it easy to check authenticity in minutes using a smartphone.

How the QR Code Verification Works

The QR code verification system allows customers to instantly verify the authenticity of medicines. Most modern smartphones come with a built-in QR scanner in the camera app. Medicines from the top 300 brands in India now carry a QR code on their packaging. By scanning this code, users can access essential details such as:

• Batch number
• Expiry date
• Manufacturer’s license number

Steps to Verify Your Medicine

1. Locate the QR code on the medicine packaging.
2. Use your smartphone camera or a QR scanner app to scan the code.
3. Compare the information displayed on your phone with the details printed on the packaging.

If the scanned data matches the packaging, the medicine is likely genuine. If the scanner shows a “No Record” page or the information does not match, report the case to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) immediately.

Important Notes

• Currently, QR code verification is mandatory only for the top 300 medicine brands in India.
• Not all medicines carry QR codes yet, but the system is expected to expand to include more brands in the future.
• This simple check can protect consumers from health risks associated with counterfeit drugs and increase confidence in medicines purchased from pharmacies.

By following these steps, anyone can quickly verify their medicines and ensure they are taking authentic, safe products.