Last Updated on September 7, 2025 by The Health Master
Excipients
A Game Changer for Patient Safety: New Regulations for Drugs to Include Excipients by QR Code. The govt has issued a notification vide GSR 554(E) dt 18-08-2025.
The new regulation for drugs by the government is a monumental step for patient safety.
As of March 1, 2026, all drugs must have a QR code with additional information regarding the excipients of the drug.
This is a huge boon for those who need to be especially sensitive about what they’re taking.
What Are Excipients and Why Are They Important?
Excipients are the cast members in a movie, as some would say.
They’re not the stars (that’s the active drugs); they’re smaller supporting roles—but crucial nonfunctional.
Binders, fillers, preservatives, coloring agents—the things that comprise the composition of the drug to get it working properly.
They are important to know because while they are inactive, many people can have an allergic reaction to these components.
For example, parabens are one type of preservative; if someone is allergic to parabens, it could be difficult for him/her/them to find workable medicine.
But before now, finding this information on the medicine strip was nearly impossible and left patients and physicians alike guessing.
Where Did This Process Come From?
Thus, this was not a straight line to initiate this process.
This proliferation came from a complaint from a citizen who was inspired and directed to the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) and other Drugs Consultative Committees (DCC).
There was much back and forth about whether or not this information could go on a medicine strip, which would be difficult given the size; whether it should go on a package insert, also difficult since many medicines don’t come with an insert; or whether it should go on a separate piece of paper, yet again difficult since not all people would get it.
Finally, however, the committees concluded that a QR code would be best—simple enough and containing enough information without overloading—and voted for it.
The draft suggested information on excipients would be necessary, yet the voted decree submitted “qualitative details,” signifying a more extensive list would be required.
What This QR Code Will Include
The new regulation adds qualitative details of excipients as the 9th piece of information stored in said QR code.
As of now, when residents scan certain drug label QR codes, they are privy to:
- Unique product identification code
- Proprietary name (brand name)
- Drug name (generic name)
- Manufacturer’s name and address
- Batch number, manufacturing date and expiration date
- Manufacturing license number
- Qualitative details of excipients (effective March 1, 2026)
How This Affects The Average Person
This isn’t just an arbitrary piece of new legislation—it gives power back to the patient.
For those with allergies, they can rejoice knowing that before taking a drug they’ve been prescribed, all they need to do is scan the QR code before use to know if it’s safe or not.
This will make educated decisions about health much easier for both doctors and patients alike.
Q: What is a QR code on medicine?
A: A QR code on medicine is regulated information stored in a scannable code that contains important information about the drug; it will also store information about active ingredients to reduce allergic responses and increase patient safety.
Q: When does this rule take effect?
A: This rule takes effect March 1, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article contains information obtained from the source mentioned below. Our team made changes in the format to rewrite and present the news or article in a unique format.
Disclaimer: The information we have provided is for general knowledge and for informational purpose only and it cannot be treated as medical advice. Always consult your doctor for any health issues and / or for the treatment of the same. The Health Master does not claim responsibility for this information.
DCA Telangana: Special drive at Medical Stores for QR codes on 300 brands
Fake QR Codes on Top medicines uncovered in Gujarat
QR Code mandatory for all Vaccines in India to check fakes
Govt to Mandate QR Codes on All Anti-Cancer Drugs to Combat Counterfeit Crisis
QR Code Mandate: Pharma Industry calls for Financial Support
Drug recall: Glenmark recalls High BP, COPD drug
4 dead in Gas Leak at a Pharma Plant: Maharashtra
Action Against Misleading Pharma Ads, Sale Of NSQ Drugs
USFDA Inspection: At Zydus with Zero observations
Key Notes on Revised Schedule M: Plant and equipment
Drug recall: Alembic recalls 9,492 bottles of Doxepin Capsules
Focus on R&D, secure Patents for New Drugs: PM
Big Push for Safer Medicines: Launches “SHRESTH” to rank States
Drug recall: Sun Pharma recalls 11,328 bottles of BP drug
