India to mandate QR codes on emergency contraceptives to curb misuse, boost safety
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. NEW DELHI: India’s drug regulator, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), plans to tighten rules on the sale and distribution of emergency contraceptive pills, including levonorgestrel formulations, sold under brand names such as Unwanted-72 and i-pill, and ulipristal pills sold as ella. The move, aimed at preventing habitual overuse and ensuring women have access to critical safety information, will require these pills to carry QR codes on their packaging, according to two officials and a document reviewed by Mint.
The QR codes will link to detailed product information, including dosage, contraindications, drug interactions, side effects, storage instructions, and patient counselling guidance. Warnings will state that emergency contraceptives should not be used more than twice a month and do not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The measure follows similar government mandates for vaccines, antibiotics, and other essential medicines.
The new QR-linked packaging will enhance traceability, curb misuse, and bridge the information gap, said Dr. Archana Dhawan Bajaj, a gynaecologist and IVF expert at Nurture in Delhi. “A major issue witnessed in clinical practice is that most women tend to take emergency contraceptive pills as a regular birth control method instead of a last resort," Bajaj said, warning that frequent use can lead to menstrual abnormalities and hormonal changes.
“The suggested QR code can help explain safe usage." “Many women mistakenly believe these pills protect against STIs. QR-linked warnings can correct this and empower users with verified information," she added. Queries sent to the health ministry spokesperson, DCGI on Monday
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