Use of QR Code in Pharmaceutical & Clinical Research Industries?

 Use of QR Code in Pharmaceutical & Clinical Research Industries?

Topics covered:

✓ What is QR code

✓ The History of QR Code

✓ QR code in Pharmaceutical Industry

✓ QR code in Clinical Research

✓ How to Access a QR Code

✓ Applications of QR Code Beyond Pharmaceutics

✓ Safety precautions need to be taken while scanning QR code

✓ Future Scope

What is QR code?

QR code is defined as barcode which provides access to information. As it is designed in such a way to get quick access about the data, as it defines itself as Q -quick; R- response (quick response code) one can get quick access by using QR code which is time consuming and one can get more information with just one click away. There are different types of barcodes, based on their dimensions.

1D (one dimensional): which stores information in one direction.

2D (two dimensional) code: which is developed to carry more information and can also contain video links, URLS, images and store information in upward and downward direction, i.e.., two dimensions.

   

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History:

QR code has started its journey from Japan. In Japan (1960) there was a high economic growth period, which resulted in heavy flow of customers in supermarkets and cashiers in supermarkets suffered by different syndrome (numbness in wrist &carpel tunnel syndrome), due to heavy workload at cash counters. To lighten their burden they contacted DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED, The Japanese Company played a major role in developing barcodes. DENSO WAVE took a step forward to develop 2D barcode. The main reason to develop this barcode is to increase the capacity of data preserved and it should read data as soon as possible. Interestingly, Masahiro Hara took charge in developing 2D code. Quite surprisingly, he wanted to take only one person as his team member and the work done by them was so magical. They were successful in creating 2D code by adding additional information at particular position (addition of square boxes). Addition of squares resulted in high speed reading.

Use of QR Code in Pharmaceutical Industry:

    QR code in pharma industries are used for tracking fake medicines and unfair pricing system of medicine. QR code which is present on medicine label will provide detail information about the drug placed inside the label. It benefits both customer and industry in multiple ways. Customers will be benefitted by the information like increase and decrease in price of drug, expiry and mfg. dates, composition, sample size and ways to consume. The manufacturers can be benefitted equally by sharing some video links and providing different sections like review and ratings. By the customer reviews they can enhance their brand.

 In India, dept. of pharmaceuticals mandates the QR codes on medicine labels as it is helpful for both consumers and pharmaceutical industry. According to CDCSO guidelines, pharmaceutical drug with QR code is used for tracing and authenticity. The QR code on medicine labels may include following data:

• unique product identification code

• Name of the active pharmaceutical ingredients (API)

• Brand name

• Information of manufacturer

• Batch number/size

• Date of mfg. & exp

• Mfg. license number

• Special storage ,if any

• Helpline number

 As if anything went wrong regarding drug or product the customer can call helpline for queries (or) complaints.

                           QR code on medicine label:

Usage of QR Code in Clinical Research:

QR code in clinical research has been used for multiple purposes

#subject identity management:

 while conducting multiple clinical trials it is difficult for the investigator to identify subjects in a short duration which results in wrong identification leads to serious consequences like adverse events and chances of risk errors will be increased therefore, QR code can aid affective subject identity and can store each and every data regarding the subject. Existence of QR code made work simpler, easier and quicker. It is used in preventing errors and it can be accessed easily through QR code reader. It also helped the management to upload patient data automatically.

#Medical equipment information:

  As equipment plays a major role in surgeries and laser treatment. It enables operators or physicians to do their job in less time and effort. Information regarding equipment like: instructions & operating guidelines can be provided by the QR code which is placed on equipment. Operating guidelines are also provided by video links attached to QR code. According to the research conducted by centre of disease Control the accuracy of data were greatly improved by using the 2D barcodes during 2011 to 2013.

                              

How a QR Code can be accessed?

 As we are updated with new technology, one can get access to scan QR code using QR code reader or scanner or google lens or camera through smart phones. One will feel free to access this because it provides large amount of information quickly. By using QR codes, every information is on fingertips. It is useful in brand awareness.

Applications of QR Code beyond Pharmaceutics:

QR code has wide range of applications like;

• Mobile banking/ paying bills

• To view menu in restaurants

• On books from various publishers

• Wi-Fi sharing

• booking tickets for movies, airlines through different websites

• Food ordering /groceries and so on…

Barcode on airline ticket, menu, & movie tickets

Safety precautions, while scanning QR code:

There are some safety issues while scanning QR code. As it has many advantages the only disadvantage is that it can be misused by criminals by adding rouge code to the original code. So, it is necessary to take some precautions while scanning QR code.

We can be aware of fake QR code by following these steps:

• Check whether the code is designed from reputable publication or not.

• It is better to use a scanner which is built securely.

• Using some antivirus apps, which makes sure of closing the app whether there is any incorrect information.

The Future Scope:

The usage of QR code has rapidly increased due to COVID -19 as it is touch-less and everyone feel safe and quick. QR code will boom in future because of quick and bulk information it provides. As it is time consuming and prevents errors. According to juniper research 1 billion people have scanned QR code in 2021. Based on the survey results they assumed that the number of scans will reach 5 billion by 2022. As there is a rapid growth in technology in multiple folds for next couple of years.

By:

Divya Salendra,

M. Sc (Biotechnology), Kakatiya University

Student at ClinoSol (ID: 081/0521)