Indian drugmakers plead for barcode deadline extension

The Indian pharmaceutical industry is pleading for extra time to implement barcoding as it is "not fully geared up."

Manufacturers have days until barcoding of secondary drug packaging becomes mandatory, yet the industry openly admits it is ill prepared. Last week efforts to extend the deadline were turned back by the courts, prompting trade group Pharmexcil to go straight to the government.

However, with normal work disrupted at the end of the year, Pharmexcil fears it will fail to push back the oft-delayed law before the January 1 adoption deadline. With many drug companies reportedly struggling to meet the deadline, Pharmexcil warns Indian pharma exports could suffer.

Last time Pharmexcil took its case to the government it was told to talk to GS1 and Wipro - two companies involved with the project - to help with technical details. However, in a memo to its members, Pharmexcil reports it was impossible to set up a meeting until early next year.