DGFT Made Barcodes Mandatory for Medicine Export

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on 10 January 2011 made it mandatory for drug makers to carry a barcode on every product exported out of the country. The government’s move is aimed at putting an end to allegations overseas that some local firms ship out counterfeit medicines. The new norms highlighted by the Government will be applicable from 1 July 2011. Industry experts are of the opinion that new rules will increase the cost of exports for Indian medicines as well as impose a cumbersome compliance process.

A barcode is a machine-readable data, which contains information about the product including details about the manufacturer. A barcode will enable authorities to track each and every medicine exported out of the country. The barcode will also check the practice of some Chinese companies that sell fake drugs with Made in India tag in few African countries like Nigeria.

Approximately 3500 Indian drug manufacturers export medicines worth $10 billion each year to over 100 countries. India is considered the global pharmacy as local drug makers are leaders in selling low-cost version of off-patented drugs.