Even as the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) has expressed its willingness to once again take up the barcoding issue with the union commerce ministry, the industry has demanded that the exporters should not be mandated to the use of 'GS1 Global Standard' for barcoding as other cheaper and better barcode technologies are now available.
The industry, especially the small and medium industry, has asked the department to make the necessary amendments in the commerce ministry's notification No: Public Notice No.21 (RE-2011)/2009-2014 New Delhi, Dated the 10th January, 2011 under which barcoding was made mandatory for pharma exports in the country.
In a submission to the department, the SME Pharma Industries Confederation (SPIC) said that in Para 3 of the notification, the “Barcode technology as per GS1 Global Standard” should be replaced with “Barcode Technology”. And in Para 3 (a), incorporation of 2D (GS1 Data Matrix), should be replaced with “incorporation of 2D” and “identification code (GTIN)” should be replaced with “identification code”. Similarly, the serial number of Primary pack should be deleted.
In Para 3 (b), the SPIC has suggested that “identification Code (GTIN)” should be replaced with “identification code” and in Para 3 (c),“identification Code (GTIN)” should be replaced with “identification code”.
Supporting its demand for the amendments in the notification, SPIC said that the monopoly given to M/s GS1 over the entire Indian exports needs to be removed as there are many other similar Barcode providers. If all Indian companies use GS1, it can be easily counterfeited once it is known that it is GS1 GTIN series. Removal of serial number on primary pack will avoid the additional cost of printing each and every strip (primary pack) or undividable unit of medicine i.e. vial or bottle or ampoule or ointment tube or eye drop etc, it said.
Besides, the SPIC has suggested that if the importer or importing country does not require barcodes or requires a specific type of barcode, then this notification should not be applicable to them.