How to Use QR Codes on Prescription Bottles: The Definitive Guide

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) in India has issued a draft notification that every active pharmaceutical drug must ship with a QR Code. 

The QR Code should display all the essential details about the drug upon scanning.  

The pharmaceutical industry can benefit from using QR Codes on prescription bottles since it conveys all the important information to consumers pre-purchase. 

Creating QR Codes for pharmaceutical packaging takes less than a minute, with Uniqode’s QR Code creator. Pharma brands can digitize information with no hassle to help ease consumers’ concerns and establish transparency. 

Table of Contents

1. The CDSCO mandate: What you need to know
2. What can pharmaceutical companies do with QR Codes on prescription bottles?

   1. Redirect consumers to the specific drug website
   2. Show tutorial videos
   3. Provide additional information via PDF
   4. Remind people to take their medication on time

3. QR Code solution for the pharmaceutical industry

   1. What you can do with Uniqode’s QR Code solution

The CDSCO mandate: What you need to know

QR Codes have been proposed to ensure authenticity and facilitate tracking. QR Codes to indicate authenticity isn’t a new concept. New PAN cards feature a QR Code to prevent income tax fraud. The University Grants Commission (UGC) mandated all universities and higher education colleges must issue a QR Code on the degree for security. 

According to the proposed mandate by CDSCO, a QR Code is required on primary, secondary and tertiary packaging and must contain the following information: 

1. Unique product identification code
2. Name of the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API)
3. Brand name
4. Name and address of the manufacturer
5. Batch number
6. Batch size
7. Date of manufacture
8. Date of expiry or retesting
9. Serial shipping container code
10. Manufacturing license number/import license number
11. Special storage conditions required (if any)

What can pharmaceutical companies do with QR Codes on prescription bottles? 

Pharmaceutical companies can simply use text QR Codes on prescription bottles to display the mandatory information. A text QR Code reveals some text which can be viewed upon scanning. Consumers can scan QR Codes using their smartphone’s camera in less than a second and check all the details. They don’t need an app to scan the prescription bottle QR Codes. 

How to scan a QR Code with an Android smartphone

Apart from giving consumers the necessary information, pharmaceutical companies can also use QR Codes in a plethora of ways to improve the average consumer’s experience. 

#1 QR Code on medicines to redirect consumers to the specific drug website

Pharmaceutical companies can use QR Codes on medicines to redirect consumers to the specific drugs’ website to find out more about the composition and possible side effects. 

Learn how to create a Website QR Code from scratch in less than 2 minutes

#2 Show tutorial videos using QR Codes on pharmaceutical packaging

Apart from drugs with an API, having a QR Code on other medical instruments can also be life-altering. For diabetics who need to inject themselves with insulin, a proper tutorial video can make all the difference in the world. Pharma companies can place QR Codes on pharmaceutical packaging to direct users to such tutorial videos to reduce the learning curve. The same can be replicated when it comes to blood pressure monitors, glucometers or inhalers. 

Create QR Codes to display tutorial videos

#3 Provide additional information via PDF QR Codes on prescription bottles

Along with letting consumers browse the website, QR Codes on prescription bottles can link to a PDF which eliminates the need for the medication package insert completely. Not only is this completely eco-friendly as it saves paper, but it is also useful for the consumer as they don’t have to hold onto the insert forever. 

Convert your PDF into a QR Code

#4 Remind people to take their medication on time with the help of QR Codes on pharmaceutical packaging

People with dementia are often confused and usually, have around 6-8 pills to take throughout the day. Even with full-time carers, it can become a hassle to manage medication. By having a QR Code on pharmaceutical packaging, patients or their carers can add recurring events to their calendars to keep a track of the medication and intake. These QR Codes can also be placed on the packaging of birth control pills that must be taken at the same time every day. 

Want to know how to integrate the QR Code generator API into your app?

QR Code solution for the pharmaceutical industry

Uniqode offers enterprise-level security and robust features that make managing hundreds of QR Codes a seamless experience. 

Simple 3 step process to create QR Codes with a logo

Here’s what you can do with Uniqode’s QR Code Solution – 

1. Generate short URLs
2. Customize URLs to align with your domain
3. Create QR Codes in bulk
4. Create dynamic QR Codes that can be scanned even after slight wear and tear
5. Track QR Codes to monitor the engagement of consumers with the medicine
6. Create customized QR Codes with your brand logo that stand out 
7. Retarget users based on their medical history

Generate a quality QR Code using the best QR Code generator

Try Uniqode’s QR Code Solution built for pharmaceutical companies. Schedule a demo to get customized QR Codes today!

• Author Details

Author Details

Sneh Ratna Choudhary

Sneh is a Content Marketing Manager at Uniqode and has a penchant for all things tech and startups that improve human lives. She adores dogs, Radiohead, and Michael Gary Scott.

sneh.c@mobstac.com