Archive · 28 Oct 2025
MP Launches Drug Tracking System After Child Deaths
After some children sadly passed away because of a cough syrup, the government in Madhya Pradesh is starting a new system to make sure the medicines given in hospitals are safe.
Imagine every medicine bottle or strip will have a special code, like a secret ID.
When someone scans this code, they can instantly see who made the medicine, its batch number, and where it's supposed to go.
This will help doctors and patients know if the medicine is real and not fake.
It also helps hospitals know when medicines are about to expire so they don't go to waste.
This new system is like giving medicines a digital passport to ensure they are safe and reach the right people.
The companies that make the medicines will be responsible for putting these codes on them.
This is a big step to make sure everyone trusts the medicines they receive.
Madhya Pradesh is implementing a barcode and QR code-based drug tracking system for government hospitals following child deaths from contaminated cough syrup.
The 'Drug Tracking-Tracing System' will digitally record details of approximately 1,200 types of medicines, including manufacturer, batch, and destination.
Patients and healthcare providers can scan codes to verify medicine authenticity, safety, and expiry dates.
The system aims to enhance accountability, combat counterfeit drugs, and prevent future tragedies by ensuring supply chain integrity.
Pharmaceutical companies will bear the cost of barcoding and data integration, with the system set for rollout before the next financial year.
- Who
- Madhya Pradesh state government and pharmaceutical companies
- What
- Launching a barcode and QR code-based Drug Tracking-Tracing System for medicines in government hospitals.
- When
- To be rolled out across all government facilities before the next financial year.
- Where
- Government hospitals, medical colleges, and health centres in Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- To prevent tragedies like the Chhindwara cough syrup deaths, ensure medicine safety, rebuild public trust, and combat counterfeit drugs.
Current System
New Drug Tracking System
Medicine Verification
Current System
Relies on manual checks and existing supply chain, susceptible to errors and counterfeit drugs.
New Drug Tracking System
Utilizes barcodes/QR codes for digital verification, providing details like manufacturer, batch number, and license.
Patient Safety
Current System
Limited ability to guarantee the safety and authenticity of medicines, as shown by the Chhindwara incident.
New Drug Tracking System
Aims to ensure patients receive safe and genuine medicines, with expiry alerts to prevent use of outdated drugs.
Supply Chain Accountability
Current System
Lack of detailed tracking makes it difficult to pinpoint issues in the supply chain.
New Drug Tracking System
Provides a comprehensive digital trail from manufacturer to hospital, increasing accountability and potentially identifying counterfeit drugs.
- Triggering Event
- Deaths of at least 20 children in Chhindwara due to contaminated cough syrup
- System Name
- Drug Tracking-Tracing System (GS-1 System)
- Scope
- All medicines supplied to government hospitals in Madhya Pradesh
- Medicines Covered
- Approximately 1,200 types
- Information Tracked
- Manufacturer, batch number, license, hospital shipped to, supply date, stock, expiry
- Implementation Timeline
- Before the next financial year
- Cost Bearer (Barcoding)
- Pharmaceutical companies
