Braille, Voice-Enabled QR Codes & More: Govt To Set Up Panel To Revamp Medicine Labelling

Last Updated:June 27, 2025, 10:06 IST

The concerns submitted to the govt include issues like expiry dates being printed on easily torn paper, reflective surfaces making labels unreadable, and text size being too small.

The central government is planning a major overhaul of drug packaging to make medicines more patient-friendly. (PTI Image for Representation)

Get ready for voice-assisted QR codes, braille cards, and clearer labels on your medicine strips — the central government is planning a major overhaul of drug packaging to make medicines more patient-friendly, News18 has learnt.

To address consumer complaints about the labelling of medicinal products and to make medicine packaging more inclusive for the visually impaired, the drug regulatory agency, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), is set to constitute an expert panel.

Acting on recommendations from the Drug Consultative Committee (DCC), the CDSCO will now form a sub-committee to examine packaging-related concerns in detail.

“DCC was apprised that various concerns have been received from the consumers in their public grievances from time to time with respect to the labelling of medicinal products," said the government document sent to states and union territories for execution, seen by News18.

The concerns submitted to the central government include issues such as expiry dates being printed on easily torn paper, reflective surfaces making labels unreadable, and text size being too small.

The concerns submitted to DCC – which discussed the matter in the meeting dated 17 June – also include inconsistent printing of medicine names (only at one place on the entire strip) and the need for a universal symbol to clearly distinguish generic medicines from branded ones.

“The proposed sub-committee will discuss these concerns in detail," said the government official, while adding the panel has asked to include at least one packaging expert and will evaluate whether new regulatory standards are needed for suppliers of packaging materials under the Drugs Rules, 1945. “The industry is expected to create a pushback as any change in labelling leads to heavy capital expenditure on their end. However, the final move will be decided by the proposed panel."

Blind friendly medicine packaging

In a related move to improve patient convenience, the DCC also recommended measures to help blind and visually impaired individuals identify medicines.

Discussing the proposal regarding the problems faced by the blind or visually impaired people in reading medicines, tablets or capsule strips, DCC was apprised that a similar deliberation was done earlier by the expert panel, which had earlier recommended constituting a panel to examine the issue. Accordingly, that panel had submitted its report. The same report was discussed in the meeting, and now, it will be made public and open for comments, along with the two new suggestions.

These include adding braille cards to secondary packaging of medicines containing more than 10 units, and integrating QR codes with voice-assistance features on drug labels.

“Secondary packaging containing more than 10 units of medicines may have some braille cards for giving to such population as and when required," said the first suggestion, while adding the second recommendation stating, “Medicines can have a QR code linked with voice assistance."

Experts believe that, if executed, these developments will mark a significant step towards improving patient safety, accessibility, and transparency in India’s pharmaceutical packaging practices.

Himani Chandna

Himani Chandna, Associate Editor at CNN News18, specialises in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. With firsthand insights into India's COVID-19 battle, she brings a seasoned perspective. She is particularly pass...Read More

Himani Chandna, Associate Editor at CNN News18, specialises in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. With firsthand insights into India's COVID-19 battle, she brings a seasoned perspective. She is particularly pass...

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