In a decisive move to curb the rising tide of counterfeit medications, the Indian government has announced that manufacturers of critical pharmaceuticals—including antimicrobials, narcotic drugs, vaccines, and psychotropic substances—will now be required to affix barcodes or QR codes on all product labels. This new mandate aims to enhance traceability across the supply chain and allow instant verification of drug authenticity, thereby strengthening regulatory oversight and protecting public health .

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