Simplifying barcode procedures for pharmaceutical companies, the government on Friday said it will treat mono cartons containing medicines also as primary level packaging.
A barcode helps in tracking and tracing of origin of drugs, which in turn helps in minimising the chances of genuine drugs being considered spurious, sub-standard or counterfeit. India exports over $10 billion worth of drugs annually.
Sensing an opportunity, the government wants to increase exports manifold over the next few years from global generic markets.
“Mono cartons containing strips/vials/bottles shall be treated as primary level packaging,” said Directorate General of Foreign Trade in a notice.
Primary level packaging is the first-level product packaging such as the bottle, can, jar, tube that contains the saleable items.
According to the industry, it is essential for Indian pharma firms to ensure quality to tap the market and that barcoding will help in this regard.
The government had asked pharma companies to build track and trace capability for their exported medicines using barcode technology at three levels of packaging -- primary, secondary and tertiary.