India’s ambitious QR code mandate aimed at curbing counterfeit medicines is unraveling. Designed to authenticate drugs and protect consumers, the system has instead become a tool exploited by counterfeiters. This alarming development underscores the urgent need for more secure, tamper-proof solutions like ForgeStop’s NFC-based InfoTAP technology.

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The QR Code Mandate: A Brief Overview

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In August 2023, the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare mandated that the top 300 pharmaceutical brands incorporate QR codes on their packaging. These codes were intended to provide consumers with essential information—such as the drug's name, manufacturer details, batch number, and expiry date—upon scanning, thereby ensuring authenticity and traceability.

However, the implementation has been fraught with challenges, leading to significant breaches in the system's integrity.

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How Counterfeiters Exploited the System

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Recent investigations have revealed that counterfeiters have successfully replicated QR codes, placing them on fake drug packages that, when scanned, falsely confirm the product's authenticity. This deception has been facilitated by several critical flaws in the QR code system:

• Static QR Codes: Many QR codes used are static, meaning they contain fixed information that doesn't change. Once a code is copied, it can be reused indefinitely on counterfeit products without detection.
• Lack of Real-Time Verification: The system doesn't effectively track multiple scans of the same code, allowing counterfeit products with duplicated QR codes to pass as genuine.
• Insufficient Security Measures: The QR codes lack encryption and other security features that would prevent unauthorized replication.

“It’s a gift to the counterfeiter.” — Dr. Avi Chaudhuri, anti-counterfeiting expert

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Real-World Consequences

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The ramifications of these security lapses are profound. In April 2025, the Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) uncovered counterfeit versions of Sun Pharma’s Levipil 500, an antiepileptic medication, circulating in multiple states. These fake products bore QR codes that, when scanned, indicated the drugs were genuine.

Such incidents not only endanger patient health but also erode trust in the pharmaceutical supply chain.

For a broader look at how smart labels can support supply chain security, see:
👉 Connected Products & Smart Labels

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The Need for a More Secure Solution

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The failure of the QR code system highlights the necessity for more robust authentication technologies. ForgeStop's InfoTAP offers a compelling alternative:

• Encrypted NFC Tags: Each product is embedded with a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag containing encrypted data unique to that item.
• Real-Time Verification: Consumers can authenticate products instantly by tapping their smartphones on the NFC tag, receiving immediate confirmation of authenticity.
• Tamper-Proof Design: The NFC tags are designed to be tamper-evident, providing an additional layer of security against counterfeiting.
• Supply Chain Transparency: ForgeStop's system allows for end-to-end tracking of products, ensuring integrity throughout the supply chain.

Curious how this technology works?
👉 How NFC Works for Product Authentication

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Conclusion

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The collapse of India's QR code-based drug authentication system serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of relying on insecure technologies. To protect consumers and maintain trust in the pharmaceutical industry, it's imperative to adopt more secure, tamper-proof solutions.

ForgeStop's NFC-based InfoTAP technology represents a significant step forward in this endeavor, offering robust protection against counterfeiting and ensuring the authenticity of medicines.

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Contact us to schedule a free consultation and discover how to make your packaging smarter, safer, and more engaging.