Pharma Turns to Innovation to Combat Fake Drugs, ASPA President Confirms

Key Highlights:-

• Indian pharma is rapidly adopting anti-counterfeiting technologies
• High-res printing enables highly convincing forged packaging
• Multi-layered tech like blockchain, RFID, and AI strengthens drug security

The Indian pharmaceutical sector is rapidly adopting secure packaging, real-time verification, and digital authentication technologies, reflecting a growing consent among industry players that both defensive and post-market anti-fake measures are essential strategic priorities, according to an expert in the anti-counterfeiting field.

Manoj Kochar, president of the Authentication Solution Providers' Association (ASPA), said that Indian pharma companies have proven extraordinary elasticity by embracing anti-counterfeiting practices that extend beyond regulatory requirements.

Kochar also explained, “Numerous firms are now deploying advanced ‘phygital’ authentication systems that blend physical security elements such as holograms with digital innovations like QR codes, serialization, and blockchain technologies. These combined solutions significantly improve supply chain transparency, safeguard accurate product verification, and build consumer trust.”

The risk landscape continues to grow, with fake products employing developed methods to duplicate genuine pharmaceuticals, making detection challenging for both consumers and healthcare providers. The rise of e-commerce has introduced new exposures, allowing counterfeit drugs to intrude into markets through channels often beyond the reach of conservative regulation.

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Though advanced technologies strengthen pharma security, counterfeiters are also leveraging high-resolution printing and duplication software to create highly convincing fake packaging, labels, and even QR codes. In response, the industry is strengthening supply chain oversight by integrating physical, digital, and combined ‘phygital’ anti-counterfeiting technologies.

These include secure holographic seals, tamper-evident packaging, RFID tracking, covert machine-readable markers, blockchain series, QR code-enabled smartphone verification, and AI-driven authentication tools.

Factors such as rising demand for specific medicines, troubles in supply chains, and growth in online sales have impaired the spread of forged products. These fake drugs frequently avoid regulatory inspection by entering markets through informal or unregulated channels, undermining efforts to maintain medical safety and quality.

Kochar concluded with a response on how the Indian government and industry players are moving up efforts by rolling out track-and-trace systems, tightening regulations, and launching awareness campaigns designed to protect public health and boost confidence in the pharmaceutical sector.