Jharkhand Pharma Council Mandates QR Codes for Drug Reaction Reporting

The Jharkhand State Pharmacy Council (JSPC) has issued a directive requiring all medical shops, government and private hospitals, and pharmacy educational institutions across the state to prominently display QR codes for reporting adverse drug reactions (ADRs). This initiative, established through a recent MoU with the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) under the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India, aims to significantly bolster patient safety. By scanning these QR codes, patients and the public can conveniently report any adverse side effects experienced after consuming medications. This includes details like swelling, itching, or allergic reactions that may not be expected. The process is designed to be straightforward, allowing users to upload prescriptions, medicine doses, and other relevant information from anywhere within the state. With approximately 20,000 medical shops in Jharkhand, this measure seeks to streamline the reporting mechanism. The collected grievances will be channeled to the IPC, facilitating prompt action against drug manufacturing companies if any anomalies are detected in the medicines. This program is expected to promote the safe use of medicines and enhance overall drug vigilance. While no specific deadline has been set for the display of these QR codes, letters have been dispatched to relevant state health departments and directorates to ensure swift compliance. Medical shops are instructed to place the codes in visible areas, while hospitals will display them in OPDs, IPDs, pharmacies, and registration counters.