Govt Panel Proposes Braille Cards, Voice-Enabled QR Codes on Medicine Packs to Aid Visually Impaired
New Delhi: In a move aimed at improving accessibility for the visually impaired, the Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) has recommended placing the sub-committee's suggestions on the CDSCO website for public comments and proposed additional measures such as providing braille cards with secondary packaging and incorporating voice-enabled QR codes on medicine packs to assist blind and visually impaired individuals in reading medicine tablet and capsule strips.
The committee had earlier discussed the issue in its 58th DCC meeting, following which a sub-committee was constituted to examine the matter in detail. During the latest meeting, the sub-committee's report was presented for further discussion.
According to the official minutes, "DCC was apprised that the proposal was deliberated in the 58th DCC meeting and after thorough deliberation, the DCC recommended for constituting a sub-committee to examine the issue in detail for its further consideration. Accordingly, the sub-committee has submitted its report for further deliberation in the meeting."
After reviewing the report, the committee, during its 66th meeting held on June 17, 2025, arrived at a key decision aimed at promoting public engagement and further policy development. "DCC after deliberation opined that the recommendations of the sub-committee may be placed on the CDSCO website for public comments along with the below mentioned additional points:"
The committee proposed two notable accessibility initiatives:
I. "Secondary packaging containing more than 10 units of medicines may have some braille cards for giving to such population as and when required."
II. "Medicines can have QR code linked with voice assistance."
These recommendations, if implemented, could significantly enhance the ability of blind and visually impaired individuals to independently identify and use their medications safely.
The 66th DCC meeting was chaired by Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, Drugs Controller General (India). In his opening remarks, "DCG(I) highlighted the need for strengthening of Drug Regulatory System throughout the country and appreciated the support extended by all the States."
