Which security label features are suitable for pharmaceutical products?

Pharmaceutical packaging commonly uses tamper-evident seals, serialised 2D codes, QR codes, Data Matrix codes, or barcodes where required, and overt or covert authentication features such as holographic or UV elements. In India, track-and-trace requirements for export drug formulations should be checked against current DGFT provisions; not every pharmaceutical pack or market has the same serialisation requirement.

Serialisation can support item- or pack-level traceability through unique identifiers linked to a database, and GS1 standards are commonly used in regulated supply chains. The exact identifier, packaging level, aggregation requirement, and reporting obligation vary by market, whether the product is for domestic sale or export, and the product category, so the applicable regulation should be confirmed before artwork is finalised.

Tamper-evident constructions such as VOID, destructible, or other closure seals may be used to provide visible evidence of opening, while holographic or covert features can add another authentication layer. Whether a particular security feature is mandatory or simply recommended depends on the product and market. Pharmaceutical artwork and packaging specifications should therefore be reviewed by qualified regulatory affairs personnel against current requirements; this general guidance is not legal or regulatory advice.