This move aligns with a nationwide directive aimed at strengthening pharmacovigilance and ensuring quicker reporting of harmful drug effects by patients and caregivers.
Under the new guideline, every retail and wholesale pharmacy in Tamil Nadu is required to place a QR code at a clearly visible spot within the premises, making it straightforward for customers to scan using a smartphone. By scanning this code, individuals will be directed to a dedicated reporting platform that allows them to submit details of any suspected side effects or adverse reactions experienced after taking a medicine. This initiative reflects growing attention to patient safety and marks a shift toward more user-centric drug safety reporting.
In addition to the QR code, pharmacies must also display the toll-free helpline number, which provides an alternative phone-based route for reporting adverse drug reactions. The inclusion of both digital and telephonic reporting options is expected to increase participation from all sections of the public, including those who may not be comfortable with mobile apps or online forms.
Officials have highlighted that under-reporting of ADRs has long been a challenge for regulators and public health authorities. Many patients may assume that side effects are expected or minor, choosing not to report them, which can allow patterns of harm to go unnoticed. With pharmacies being a primary point of contact for medicine users, placing reporting tools directly at the counter is seen as a practical way to engage consumers and healthcare workers in the drug-safety ecosystem.
The QR-based reporting system connects users to the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring System (ADRMS), a nationwide platform designed to collect, analyse, and act upon reports of harmful or unexpected effects from medicines. By making this system more accessible at the community level, regulators aim to improve the speed and volume of ADR reporting, helping detect safety issues earlier and reducing the risk of harm to a wider population.
Pharmacy staff and owners have been instructed to ensure compliance by placing the official QR code and helpline number where customers can easily see and scan them. Enforcement authorities are expected to monitor adherence and take action if necessary to ensure that all licensed outlets meet the requirement, reports The Hindu.
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