Top 300 drug brands to have QR codes on label for ensuring authenticity
The Centre has introduced quick response (QR) codes to ensure authenticity and traceability of 300 common drug brands, including analgesics, vitamins, diabetic, and hypertension medicines, among others. Amendments have been made accordingly to the Drugs Rules, 1945, to implement this. In March, the Union Health Ministry had asked the department of pharmaceuticals (DoP) to shortlist 300 drug brands that can be included for implementation of mandatory QR codes. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) had identified the list of 300 drugs, which include widely used medicines, such as painkillers, contraceptives, vitamins, blood-sugar, and hypertension medicines. Popular brands, such as Dolo, Allegra, Asthalin, Augmentin, Saridon, Limcee, Calpol, Corex, Thyronorm, Unwanted 72, were identified. These high-selling brands have been shortlisted based on their moving annual turnover (MAT) value, said an official from the Ministry.
Parliamentary panel calls for rules and guidelines for e-Pharmacy Sector
Expressing its displeasure on the delay in finalising the e-Pharmacy Rules to control the online pharmacies in the country, the Department related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce has recommended the draft of the e-pharmacy rules the Centre has published almost four years back to be finalised and implemented at the earliest. The Committee, headed by Member of Parliament V Vijayasai Reddy, in a report on the promotion and regulation of e-commerce in India presented to the Chairman of Rajya Sabha on June 15, added that a comprehensive guideline for the e-pharmacy or e-health platforms should be released by the government, among others.
Alert on Medtronic’s certain batches of auto suture circular stapler
The DCGI has issued an alert notice on US medical technology major Medtronic’s DST series EEA auto suture circular stapler and loading unit with DST Series technology stapler used in open and laparoscopic surgeries as a glitch could result in various adverse impacts to the patients. The DST Series EEA stapler is used throughout the alimentary tract for the creation of end-to-end, end-to-side, and side-to-side anastomoses in both open and laparoscopic surgeries.
