The decision has been taken following grievances and concerns of consumers with regard to labelling of medicinal products. Some of the concerns raised were-unable to find the expiry date, the surface of the medicine strip being too shiny to read the details.
“Various concerns have been raised by consumers from time to time like letters of expiry date are too small and hence it’s important to look at this matter,” said a government official. The consumers have also felt the need to have a universally recognised symbol on the generic medicines to distinguish it from branded medicines.
The matter was taken up by the Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) under the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (DCC) this month wherein it was decided to constitute a sub-committee to look in to the matter of packaging issue in detail and submit its report.
The DCC also recommended to include one packaging expert in the sub-committee. Further, the sub-committee shall also evaluate the feasibility of incorporating suitable regulation for suppliers of packaging materials/ printed foils, etc. under Drugs Rules, 1945.
The government is also considering voice assisted QR codes braille card on medicine strips to make them patient friendly, bring transparency and improve patient safety.A committee will soon be constituted for the same too, people in the know told ET.
