Triggered by multiple child deaths linked to contaminated cough syrups , the apex drug regulatory authority, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), has issued a nationwide directive requiring every retail and wholesale pharmacy to display a QR code that enables people to report side effects of medicines directly to India’s Pharmacovigilance Programme ( PvPI ), News18 has learnt.

In a circular dated November 20, 2025, the DCGI said this mandate is part of the government’s ongoing effort to “improve drug safety".

What the order says

According to the order, seen by News18, the decision was taken “during the 16th Working Group Meeting of the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India ( PvPI )…" The circular instructs all state and union territories licensing authorities that “all sta

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