{"id":1238,"date":"2026-04-21T06:18:01","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T06:18:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/?p=1238"},"modified":"2026-04-22T06:47:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T06:47:25","slug":"how-does-qr-code-pharmaceutical-packaging-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/how-does-qr-code-pharmaceutical-packaging-work\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does QR Code Pharmaceutical Packaging Work (Step-by-Step with Examples)?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"\n  border: 1px solid #e5e7eb;\n  background: #f3f4f6;\n  padding: 10px 16px 14px 16px;\n  border-radius: 8px;\n  font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, sans-serif;\n  color: #111827;\n\">\n<h4 style=\"\n    margin: 0 0 6px 0;\n    padding: 0;\n    font-size: 13px;\n    font-weight: 700;\n    letter-spacing: 0.06em;\n    text-transform: uppercase;\n    color: #2563eb;\n    line-height: 1.2;\n  \"><br \/>\n    TL;DR<br \/>\n  <\/h4>\n<p style=\"\n    margin: 0;\n    font-size: 14.5px;\n    line-height: 1.6;\n    color: #374151;\n  \"><br \/>\nQR Code pharmaceutical packaging improves compliance, traceability, and patient access to information but it isn\u2019t enough on its own to stop counterfeit medicines. To truly prevent fraud, it needs to function as a verification layer. By adding verification QR Codes (like <a href=\"qrmark.com\">QR Mark<\/a>), pharma companies can enable real-time authentication, detect fraud early, and gain full visibility into product scans moving beyond compliance to true protection. \n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">You&#8217;re a quality assurance head at a mid-size pharmaceutical company. During a routine audit, you scan the QR Code on your own <a href=\"https:\/\/qrmark.com\/healthcare\/qr-code-on-medicines\">medicine packaging<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">The scan goes through fine&mdash;product name, batch number, expiry date, all correct. Two weeks later, the same product turns up in a raid by Gujarat&#8217;s FDCA. Counterfeit. The QR Code on the fake pack? It scanned identically to your original.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">This is not a hypothetical. In April 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.expresspharma.in\/sun-pharma-must-immediately-declare-a-voluntary-recall-of-levipil-500\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gujarat&#8217;s FDCA uncovered fake versions of Sun Pharma&#8217;s Levipil 500 across multiple states<\/a>; fake packs bore QR Codes that were scanned as genuine.&nbsp;This highlights a major roadblock in the usecase of QR Codes on medicines. There has to be a better way and I am here today to provide you exactly that.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-2 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">In this guide, I will walk you through: <\/p>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li>What Is QR Code Pharmaceutical Packaging?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li>Why Are QR Codes Recommended on Pharmaceutical Packagin<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What Do Regulators Actually Require from Your Pharma QR Code?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What Happens After the QR Code Is Printed?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What Does QR Mark Offer for Pharmaceutical Packaging?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-qr-code-pharmaceutical-packaging\">What Is QR Code Pharmaceutical Packaging?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-primary-50-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td>A QR Code pharmaceutical packaging is a machine-readable 2D barcode printed on a medicine&#8217;s primary or secondary pack.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">When scanned with a smartphone, it links to product information likebatch number, expiry date, manufacturer details or to a live verification page confirming the drug&#8217;s authenticity.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">It serves two functions: patient information delivery and anti-counterfeit authentication.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">Here&#8217;s what this looks like in practice. A patient picks up a strip of metformin from a pharmacy shelf. On the blister pack, there&#8217;s a small QR Code in the corner.&nbsp; They scan it with their phone camera. Within seconds, a page loads showing the manufacturer name (e.g., Sun Pharma), the batch number (MF240912), the expiry date (September 2026), and a green &#8220;Verified Genuine&#8221; checkmark. <\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\" style=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"690\" height=\"385\" src=\"https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2-QR-Code-Pharmaceutical-Packaging.webp\" alt=\"An Infographic talking about QR Codes Pharmaceutical packaging can also be faked\" class=\"wp-image-1239\" srcset=\"https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2-QR-Code-Pharmaceutical-Packaging.webp 690w, https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2-QR-Code-Pharmaceutical-Packaging-300x167.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 690px) 100vw, 690px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why-are-qr-codes-recommended-on-pharmaceutical-packaging\">Why Are QR Codes Recommended on Pharmaceutical Packaging?<\/h3>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-anti-counterfeiting\">1. Anti-counterfeiting<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news\/item\/28-11-2017-1-in-10-medical-products-in-developing-countries-is-substandard-or-falsified\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">World Health Organization<\/a> estimates that 10% of medicines in developing countries are counterfeit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">A QR Code on a medicine&#8217;s packaging encodes unique batch identifiers that are harder to replicate than printed text alone.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/euipo.europa.eu\/tunnel-web\/secure\/webdav\/guest\/document_library\/observatory\/documents\/reports\/2021_Anti-counterfeiting_and_anti-piracy_technology_guide_en.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">According to research from the EUIPO and OECD<\/a>, serialized QR Codes reduce successful counterfeiting attempts by up to 80% in regulated markets.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-real-time-information-access-c2a0\">2. Real-time information access.&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">With printed package inserts, if a new safety alert emerges: a drug interaction discovered, a contraindication identified, a batch recall, you have to recall physical packages.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">With dynamic QR Codes linking to updated information, you can push safety alerts instantly without reprinting a single pack.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">The EU&#8217;s proposed PIL (Package Information Leaflet) mandate is moving in this direction: manufacturers will be required to maintain digital, QR-linked information that updates in real time. Patients scanning the code get the most current safety data available.<\/p>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-patient-adherence-c2a0\">3. Patient adherence.&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC3068890\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NIH data shows roughly 50% of patients<\/a> don&#8217;t take medication as prescribed, they miss doses, forget refills, or stop early because side effects feel worse than the condition.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">QR Codes can link to usage videos, dosage reminders, contraindication warnings, and adherence tools.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">When a patient scans your medicine QR Code, they don&#8217;t just see batch information; they can access a guided walkthrough of how to use it, what to expect, and what to do if they miss a dose.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">Better adherence means better health outcomes and fewer complications.<\/p>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-supply-chain-traceability\">4. Supply chain traceability<\/h4>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">When a product needs to be recalled&mdash;contamination discovered, manufacturing defect found, or counterfeit detected, every second matters.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">Batch-level QR Codes enable faster, more targeted recalls. A company that knows exactly which batches went to which regions can pull only those units from shelves.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">Companies with serialization infrastructure in place have cut recall times by roughly 60% compared to those without, according to serialization studies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-regulatory-compliance\">5. Regulatory compliance<\/h4>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">In India, the CDSCO mandate is no longer optional for the top 300 brands. The EU requires serialized identifiers. The FDA&#8217;s DSCSA aligns with serialized traceability. If your regulatory environment requires QR Codes, they need to be implemented correctly encoding the right data in the right format. We&#8217;ll cover what regulators actually expect in the next section.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-sustainability\">6. Sustainability<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">Package inserts contribute significantly to paper waste. A typical medicine box contains a 4&#215;6 inch folded leaflet that most patients discard without reading.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wikiimpact.com\/25-of-landfill-waste-is-paper-waste-are-we-doing-enough-to-reduce-reuse-and-recycle-paper\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PA Consulting research shows<\/a> discarded inserts account for roughly 25% of landfill waste from paper packaging.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">When QR Codes link to digital information, you reduce printed inserts, shrink packaging, and lower your environmental footprint. For healthcare systems and patients increasingly aware of sustainability, this matters.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-do-regulators-actually-require-from-your-pharma-qr-code\">What Do Regulators Actually Require from Your Pharma QR Code?<\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">Regulatory requirements differ by region. If you&#8217;re manufacturing in India, the CDSCO mandate is your starting point. If you export, you&#8217;re answering to multiple regulators at once.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-india-e28094-cdsco-mandate-the-one-that-affects-you-most\">1. India &mdash; CDSCO Mandate (The One That Affects You Most)<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">The mandate became effective August 1, 2023, under the Drugs Rules 1945 amendment. For the top 300 brands by market volume, QR Codes are no longer optional. Here&#8217;s what the <a href=\"https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/ultimate-guide-to-cdsco-qr-code-on-medicine-mandate-beyond-top-300-brands\/\">CDSCO requires your QR Code<\/a> to encode:<\/p>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li>GTIN (Global Trade Item Number)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Serial number&mdash;unique identifier per unit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Batch number<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expiry date<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Manufacturer information (name, address, license number)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">This data must appear on all packaging levels: primary packaging (blister strips, vials), secondary packaging (cartons), and tertiary packaging (cases).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">For products exported outside India, data must be uploaded in real time to the iVEDA platform (Integrated Validation of Exports of Drugs) run by the CDSCO.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-eu-e28094-falsified-medicines-directive-fmd\">2. EU &mdash; Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD)<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/health.ec.europa.eu\/medicinal-products\/falsified-medicines_en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">EU mandates a Unique Identifier<\/a> for all prescription medicines: product code plus serial number plus batch code plus expiry date.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">This must appear in both human-readable format and as a 2D barcode (QR Code or DataMatrix). The QR must link to verified information accessible by URL not requiring a special app to scan.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">The EU PIL regulation is moving toward replacing printed package inserts with QR-linked e-leaflets. Authentication happens at the point of dispensing: the pharmacist or hospital must decommission the code (mark it as verified) so it can&#8217;t be reused on a counterfeit unit later.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-usa-e28094-fda\">3. USA &mdash; FDA<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">The USA hasn&#8217;t implemented a blanket QR mandate like India&#8217;s or the EU&#8217;s. However, the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/food\/hfp-constituent-updates\/fda-adds-qr-code-certain-export-certificates-food\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> FDA promotes QR-based traceability<\/a> under the DSCSA (Drug Supply Chain Security Act). The FDA&#8217;s export certificate verification portal uses QR Codes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">US military pharmacies have implemented QR Codes on prescriptions, replacing printed drug information cards. While not mandatory across the board, traceability requirements align with serialized QR implementation.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">Meeting the regulatory requirement is step one. But compliance tells you what data the QR Code must carry. It doesn&#8217;t tell you whether the QR Code itself can be trusted. That&#8217;s a different problem.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\" style=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"690\" height=\"385\" src=\"https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/4-QR-Code-Pharmaceutical-Packaging.webp\" alt=\"An infographic that explains the regulation landscape of using QR Code on medicines.\n\" class=\"wp-image-1240\" srcset=\"https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/4-QR-Code-Pharmaceutical-Packaging.webp 690w, https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/4-QR-Code-Pharmaceutical-Packaging-300x167.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 690px) 100vw, 690px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-happens-after-the-qr-code-is-printed\">What Happens After the QR Code Is Printed?<\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">Most pharma QR Codes are information links. They open a PDF, a website, or a static product page. None of that confirms the drug in a patient&#8217;s hand is genuine.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">Generic QR Codes can be copied. A counterfeiter prints the same QR Code on a fake pack: same URL, same redirect and the scan gives the same result. The Levipil 500 incident is proof.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">The QR Code didn&#8217;t fail because of bad regulation. It failed because there was no verification layer&mdash;no check that the code being scanned matches a unique, live record for that specific unit.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-does-qr-mark-offer-for-pharmaceutical-packaging\">What Does QR Mark Offer for Pharmaceutical Packaging?<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/qrmark.com\/\">QR Mark<\/a> transforms plain QR Codes into a verification layer. Here&#8217;s how it works in real time.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-verification-image-e28094your-unique-serialized-qr-per-pack-c2a0\">1. Verification Image &mdash;Your Unique, Serialized QR Per Pack.&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">At the core: every unit of your product gets its own Verification Image: a combined QR Code and verification URL tied to a unique serialized record.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">No two packs share the same image. When a patient or pharmacist scans the QR, they land on a live verification page that checks against the database.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">Is this serial number real? Is it flagged? What&#8217;s the status? This directly solves the Levipil 500 problem.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">A counterfeiter might copy the image, but when that code is scanned, it won&#8217;t match the unique record in your database.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-custom-domaine28094verification-on-your-brands-url-not-a-generic-one-c2a0\">2. Custom Domain&mdash;Verification on Your Brand&#8217;s URL, Not a Generic One.&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">Most verification systems resolve to a generic URL.&nbsp; <a href=\"https:\/\/support.qrmark.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/36475436493337-Setup-Custom-Domain\">QR Mark works differently.<\/a> Your verification pages are served from your own domain. For example, verify.sunpharma.com.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">A counterfeiter can&#8217;t replicate that. They can&#8217;t host their fake verification page on your domain.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">Domain matching becomes the trust signal. When a pharmacist verifies your medicine, they see your branded domain. They know they&#8217;re checking your official record, not a lookalike site.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\" style=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"559\" src=\"https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-1024x559.png\" alt=\"A screenshot of the custom domain feature dashboard of QR Mark\" class=\"wp-image-1122\" srcset=\"https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-1024x559.png 1024w, https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-300x164.png 300w, https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-768x419.png 768w, https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-1536x838.png 1536w, https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-workflow-friendlinesse28094one-system-that-fits-your-existing-process-c2a0\">3. Workflow Friendliness&mdash;One System That Fits Your Existing Process.&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">Pharma companies issue thousands of SKUs across batches. You need a system that doesn&#8217;t force you to redesign production.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">QR Mark integrates seamlessly into your existing workflow. For bulk batches, upload your product files via the QR Mark dashboard, set the placement once, and the system generates unique Verification Images for all units at scale&mdash;ready for your print vendor.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">For companies with existing ERP systems or packaging automation software, the API allows programmatic generation of Verification Images without manual steps. Verification Images are generated transparently as part of your production flow.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">For product information leaflets, regulatory documents, or healthcare professional materials, upload a PDF to QR Mark, and it adds the Verification Image and returns a verified PDF&mdash;no printing infrastructure changes needed.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-real-time-scan-tracking-and-fraud-detection-c2a0\">4. Real-Time Scan Tracking and Fraud Detection.&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">Beyond the verification moment, QR Mark gives you insights most pharma companies don&#8217;t have. Every time someone scans your QR Code, QR Mark tracks it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">You see how many times each batch&#8217;s code was scanned, where geographically, and what day and time. If you notice unusual patterns&mdash;a batch showing 10,000 scans in an hour in a region where you barely distribute&mdash;that&#8217;s a counterfeit signal.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">QR Mark&#8217;s fraud reporting feature lets you flag suspicious batches and codes. A built-in escalation workflow alerts your compliance and supply chain teams to investigate patterns that suggest counterfeits are circulating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-surface has-primary-50-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\"><em>Our team designed this because the biggest gap in pharmaceutical verification isn&#8217;t the moment of scanning, it&#8217;s the visibility into what&#8217;s happening after. With QR Mark, you don&#8217;t just verify. You monitor. You respond. Pharmacists see a genuine checkmark. You see patterns that flag fakes before they reach patients.<\/em> <em>&mdash; Siddharth Pangtey, Product Manager, QR Mark<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\"><\/p>\n\n\n  <section class=\"qr-banner\" style=\"--btn-radius:6px;--btn-text:#FFFFFF;--primary:#0055CB;\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Inline CTA\">\r\n    <div class=\"qr-banner__copy\">\r\n              <h2 class=\"qr-banner__title\">Issue and track your medicines with QR Mark<\/h2>\r\n                    <div class=\"qr-banner__text\">Your first three packages are on us!<\/div>\r\n                    <div class=\"qr-actions\">\r\n          <a class=\"qr-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/qrmark.com\/?utm_source=blog&#038;utm_medium=inline_cta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\r\n            Start Now            <span class=\"qr-btn__icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\r\n         <svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\r\n<path d=\"M14.4171 19.2512L12.7251 17.4989L17.0154 13.2085H2.33167V10.7915H17.0154L12.7251 6.50113L14.4171 4.74875L21.6683 12L14.4171 19.2512Z\" fill=\"white\"\/>\r\n<\/svg>\r\n\r\n            <\/span>\r\n          <\/a>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n          <\/div>\r\n\r\n          <div class=\"qr-banner__art\">\r\n        <div class=\"qr-art-wrap\" style=\"max-width:520px\">\r\n          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"qr-art\" src=\"https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Frame-1000004444.svg\" alt=\"Document and phone mockup\"\r\n               style=\"max-height:220px; min-height:140px;\">\r\n        <\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <\/section>\r\n  \n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\"><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-set-up-qr-mark-verification-for-your-pharmaceutical-packagingstep-by-step\">How to Set Up QR Mark Verification for Your Pharmaceutical Packaging?(Step-by-Step)<\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">The implementation is straightforward and non-disruptive to your existing production workflow.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"step-1-decide-what-you-want-to-verify\">Step 1: Decide what you want to verify<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">First, decide what information the QR code should show when someone scans it.<br><br>For pharma packaging, this typically includes:<\/p>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li>Drug name<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Batch number<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Manufacturing date<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expiry date<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Manufacturer name<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>License \/ compliance info<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph is-style-heading has-primary-50-background-color has-background\" style=\"\"><strong>Important:<\/strong> QR Mark verifies authenticity, not product protection. It helps answer:<br>&ldquo;Was this package issued by the real manufacturer?&rdquo;<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"step-2-create-your-qr-mark-account-and-choose-verification-type\">Step 2: Create your QR Mark account and choose verification type<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">Go to <a href=\"https:\/\/qrmark.com\/\"><strong>qrmark.com<\/strong> <\/a>and create your account.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">This helps you keep sensitive information private while still allowing verification.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"step-3-set-up-your-company-domain\">Step 3: Set up your company domain<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">Set up a custom domain like:<strong> <em>verify.yourcompany.com<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">This is important because people will trust the QR code if it opens on your official domain.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"step-4-go-to-the-template-page-and-configure-your-template\">Step 4: Go to the template page and configure your template<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">Go to the <strong>Template section<\/strong> inside QR Mark. Choose a template so you can show only important details and protect the confidential ones.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">Select the type of template you want to use:<\/p>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li>You can use the <strong>standard template<\/strong>, or<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You can <strong>create a custom template<\/strong> based on your needs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph is-style-heading has-primary-50-background-color has-background\" style=\"\"><em>Pro Tip: It is best to design your template based on regulatory requirements.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">For example:<br>If you are issuing pharmaceutical packages in the EU, follow the <strong>EU Unique Identifier requirements<\/strong>, which typically include:<\/p>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li>Product code<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Serial number<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Batch number<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expiry date<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">This ensures your QR Code based verification aligns with compliance expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"step-5-generate-qr-codes\">Step 5: Generate QR codes<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">Step 5: Create verification records<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">Prepare your product or batch data.<br>This includes all the fields you want to show during verification.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">You can upload this data in bulk or add it manually depending on your volume.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"step-6-upload-packaging-in-bulk-and-generate-qr-codes\">Step 6: Upload packaging in bulk and generate QR codes<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">After creating your verification template, go to <strong>Bulk Verification<\/strong> in QR Mark.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-3 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">Now follow these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li>Upload your packaging data or files<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select the template you created<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create a <strong>batch name<\/strong>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Set the <strong>expiry date<\/strong> (same as the medicine expiry)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Generate the QR code images<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"step-7-place-the-qr-code-on-packaging\">Step 7: Place the QR code on packaging<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">Place the generated QR code wherever needed on the packaging.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">Make sure:<\/p>\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li>The QR code is clearly visible<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is easy to scan<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is not hidden or covered<br>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"step-8-distribute-the-pharmaceutical-packaging\">Step 8: Distribute the Pharmaceutical Packaging<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">Once QR codes are placed, distribute the products to:<\/p>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li>Distributors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pharmacies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hospitals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Customers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"step-9-train-people-to-verify-properly\">Step 9: Train people to verify properly<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">Tell your partners and customers how to use the QR code correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">They should always:<\/p>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li>Scan the QR code<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check the website domain<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Match the details with the package<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">Just scanning is not enough. Matching the details is what confirms authenticity.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\"><\/p>\n\n\n  <section class=\"qr-banner\" style=\"--btn-radius:6px;--btn-text:#FFFFFF;--primary:#0055CB;\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Inline CTA\">\r\n    <div class=\"qr-banner__copy\">\r\n              <h2 class=\"qr-banner__title\">Add secure QR Codes to every medicine package<\/h2>\r\n                    <div class=\"qr-banner__text\">Try QR Mark for free. No credit cards needed.<\/div>\r\n                    <div class=\"qr-actions\">\r\n          <a class=\"qr-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/qrmark.com\/?utm_source=blog&#038;utm_medium=inline_cta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\r\n            Start Now            <span class=\"qr-btn__icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\r\n         <svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\r\n<path d=\"M14.4171 19.2512L12.7251 17.4989L17.0154 13.2085H2.33167V10.7915H17.0154L12.7251 6.50113L14.4171 4.74875L21.6683 12L14.4171 19.2512Z\" fill=\"white\"\/>\r\n<\/svg>\r\n\r\n            <\/span>\r\n          <\/a>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n          <\/div>\r\n\r\n          <div class=\"qr-banner__art\">\r\n        <div class=\"qr-art-wrap\" style=\"max-width:520px\">\r\n          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"qr-art\" src=\"https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Frame-1000004444.svg\" alt=\"Document and phone mockup\"\r\n               style=\"max-height:220px; min-height:140px;\">\r\n        <\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <\/section>\r\n  \n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\"><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-do-patients-and-pharmacists-see-when-they-scan\">What Do Patients and Pharmacists See When They Scan?<\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">You&#8217;re probably asking: will my patients know how to use this? Do they need a special app? What does a failed verification look like?<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"do-patients-need-a-special-appc2a0\">Do patients need a special app?&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">No. Any smartphone camera app opens the verification page. No download. No login. They scan, the page loads, they see the result.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-does-the-verification-page-show\">What does the verification page show?<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">The page displays your product name and manufacturer, batch number and expiry date, and a clear &#8220;Verified Genuine&#8221; status. It&#8217;s branded with your company logo on your custom domain. Simple. Transparent. Trustworthy.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-if-the-code-is-damaged\">What if the code is damaged?<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">QR Codes remain readable even when 30% damaged. The Verification Image is designed for blister pack and carton surfaces&mdash;a tougher environment than most printed labels.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-if-the-qr-doesnt-match-a-real-recordc2a0\">What if the QR doesn&#8217;t match a real record?&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">If the code doesn&#8217;t correspond to a live verification record&mdash;because it&#8217;s counterfeit, copied from a different product, or flagged as suspicious&mdash;the page shows a clear warning. Not a 404. Not a blank page. A transparent warning that something isn&#8217;t right.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"so-is-qr-code-pharmaceutical-packaging-enough-to-stop-counterfeits\"><strong>So, Is QR Code Pharmaceutical Packaging Enough to Stop Counterfeits?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">QR Codes on pharmaceutical packaging have become essential but they&rsquo;re only the starting point. They help you meet regulatory requirements, improve traceability, and deliver information to patients. But as the Levipil 500 incident showed, compliance alone doesn&rsquo;t guarantee protection.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">If the same QR Code can be copied and scanned as genuine, the system isn&rsquo;t broken, it&rsquo;s incomplete.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">The real shift happens when QR Codes move from being static information carriers to dynamic verification tools. When every pack is uniquely identifiable, every scan is validated in real time, and every anomaly is tracked, you don&rsquo;t just comply. You gain control.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">Because in a world where counterfeit medicines are evolving, your packaging can&rsquo;t stay static. It has to verify, monitor, and respond.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">And that&rsquo;s the difference between knowing your product is compliant&hellip; and knowing it&rsquo;s protected.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"frequently-asked-questions\">Frequently Asked Questions <\/h2>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"can-qr-codes-on-pharmaceutical-packaging-be-faked\">Can QR Codes on pharmaceutical packaging be faked?<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">A generic information QR Code that links to a static URL can be copied onto a counterfeit pack. A verification QR Code with a serialized record and custom domain cannot, because each unit&#8217;s code resolves against a unique live record in a database. When scanned, the system verifies the serial number is real and hasn&#8217;t been flagged.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-exactly-does-cdsco-require-a-pharmaceutical-qr-code-to-carry\">What exactly does CDSCO require a pharmaceutical QR Code to carry?<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">CDSCO requires the QR Code to encode GTIN, serial number, batch number, expiry date, and manufacturer information (name, address, license number) on all packaging levels. For exports, data must be uploaded in real time to the iVEDA platform. The top 300 brands are covered now; Schedule H2 drugs, vaccines, and antimicrobial products are being rolled out with strict compliance timelines.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"do-patients-need-an-app-to-scan-a-pharma-qr-code\">Do patients need an app to scan a pharma QR Code?<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">No. Standard smartphone cameras (iOS and Android) scan QR Codes natively. No app download is required. When a patient scans the QR Code on the medicine pack, the camera automatically detects it and opens the verification page in the browser.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-the-difference-between-a-qr-code-and-a-verification-qr-code\">What is the difference between a QR Code and a verification QR Code?<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">A QR Code is a data format. A verification QR Code is a QR Code linked to a live, serialized verification record served from a trusted domain. It confirms authenticity in real time by checking the serial number and batch against a database, not just by opening a static information page.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-does-tracking-scans-help-detect-and-prevent-counterfeit-drugs\">How does tracking scans help detect and prevent counterfeit drugs?<\/h3>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \" style=\"\">When QR Mark tracks every scan&mdash;location, time, frequency&mdash;unusual patterns emerge that signal counterfeits. If a batch from a regional distribution center shows 10,000 scans in an hour in a state where you don&#8217;t distribute, that&#8217;s a counterfeit flag. The fraud reporting feature alerts your team to investigate and escalate to regulatory authorities before fake medicine reaches patients.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You&#8217;re a quality assurance head at a mid-size pharmaceutical company. During a routine audit, you scan the QR Code on your own medicine packaging.&nbsp; The scan goes through fine&mdash;product name, batch number, expiry date, all correct. Two weeks later, the same product turns up in a raid by Gujarat&#8217;s FDCA. Counterfeit. The QR Code on &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":1264,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[22,46],"class_list":["post-1238","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","tag-document-fraud","tag-qr-code-pharmaceutical-packaging"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1238","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1238"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1238\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1252,"href":"https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1238\/revisions\/1252"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1264"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1238"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1238"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qrmark.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1238"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}