Kolkata: After a lukewarm response from retailers across the state regarding the display of QR codes to report adverse drug reactions, the pharma-retail body in the state has decided to intensify efforts to make retailers aware of pharmacovigilance.
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), a fortnight ago, made it mandatory for all retail shops to display a QR code needed to lodge complaints with the nodal authority for quality control and approval for drugs and clinical trials.
In a notification a fortnight ago, the DCGI asked state licensing authorities to ensure the details for patients to report adverse drug reactions.
The DCGI explained that the move will facilitate seamless reporting of adverse drug reactions by the public and healthcare professionals. “The DCGI has issued a QR code and a toll-free number for patients and healthcare professionals to report any adverse reaction to medicines. We are starting a special drive from next week to make members across the state aware of the move by the DCGI,” said Prithwi Bose, general secretary of the Bengal Chemists and Druggists Association (BCDA).
An adverse drug reaction is any harmful, unintended, and undesirable response to a medication when used at normal doses for treatment.
It can range from mild to severe and is often linked to a person’s genetics, other medications, or existing health conditions.
Common examples of ADR include rashes, itching, breathing issues, or increased bleeding.
“Except for the educated customers, a large portion of medicine buyers is unaware of any adverse reaction when they notice symptoms like a rash or breathing issues. In other cases, customers, especially in rural and suburban areas, tend to ignore any such adverse reaction. The step is a forward-looking one, but it needs more participation from common people than healthcare professionals,” said Rajendra Khandelwal of Dhanwantary Pharma.
Somnath Ghosh of Metro Pharma felt that such initiatives will also help in curbing spread of sub-standard medicines. “We have seen a positive response among medicine buyers. They are taking photographs of QR code. But it is more important for them to identify adverse reactions. So far, we have seen cases of such reporting come more from healthcare professionals. Such steps will also encourage retailers to procure medicines from genuine sources,” Ghosh said.
