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How Security Holograms Prevent Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals in India

Picture this: A mother in rural Maharashtra buys what she believes is genuine medication for her child, only to discover later that the pills contain chalk powder and food coloring. Seems dramatic, doesn't it? You would be shocked to know that this seemingly fictional story is the harsh reality that millions of Indians are currently facing. The nationwide counterfeit pharmaceutical crisis is real and should be of serious concern. Duplicate medications don't just fail to cure you, they could actively harm your body, further endangering your health. If left unchecked, the racket of counterfeit drugs will spread at an accelerated rate, leading to permanent damage to the Indian population. To prevent this catastrophe, pharmaceutical companies are opting for a holographic solution that promises security and authenticity at the same time.

The Silent Epidemic: India's Counterfeit Drug Crisis

With a value over $55 billion (* ), the Indian pharmaceutical industry accounts for approximately 3%  (**) of the worldwide market. Unfortunately, this essential part of our country's economy is immensely vulnerable to counterfeiting. According to estimates by the World Health Organization, nearly 11% (*** )  of drugs manufactured in developing countries are fake. India is particularly exposed to fraudulent practices due to its price-sensitive market and complex distribution networks.

The consequences of pharmaceutical fraud are devastating. While businesses face financial losses, it is the ordinary public who face the true blow of this deception. The toxic and harmful substances used in production, the incorrect dosages to increase profit and the absence of any active ingredients, all cause these counterfeit drugs to be counterproductive—turning life-saving medications into serious health hazard.

Security Holograms – A proven Deterrant

In these trying times, security hologram solutions have become the saving grace of pharmaceutical companies in India.  Emerging as a vital weapon against this menace of counterfeiting, security holograms provide multiple layers of security to medicine labels, ensuring that they are impossible to replicate.

Why Holograms Work So Well

Holograms can be used as an additional feature on a product label where holographic elements are embedded into the label itself. They can even be used a stand alone label affixed on the product or even as a tamper evident and authentication seal rolled into one.

Visual Authentication: Worried about not being able to identify authentic medicines among countless fakes? Hologram solutions make it easy. Holographic labels are easy to detect, even for customers who are not as aware or trained. Look for a rainbow shine, 3D depth, or patterns that change with the angle. All of these features created through inkless printing process are nearly impossible to replicate.

Multi-Layered Security: Product packaging and labels can now be fortified with holographic security that provide multilevel security covering overt, covert and forensic elements. These labels can be tamper-evident, meaning any attempt to tamper with it will be easily detected.

Cost-Effective Implementation: Think high security equals high cost? Not with our security holograms. They offer excellent cost benefit advantages.

The Technology Behind the Shield

Are you aware that a hologram is not made using inks? A hologram is a complex web of nanostructures which are designed to control the reflection of light so as to provide the viewer with a stunning display of colours motion and depth. Since there are no inks, it is not possible to effectively scan or photograph a hologram and make a look alike by working with the known scanning and printing technologies.

Making a hologram requires a perfect combination of art and science. The design is created by an artist who understands the media and its potential, The origination and mass production involves basic sciences like physics, chemistry and mechanical engineering.

The sheer complexity of making a hologram makes its simulation far beyond the reach of a counterfeitor and this is why one finds holographic optical elements on some of the most valuable products and documents such as passports, banknotes and id and payment cards.

Looking Forward: A Holographic Future

Security holograms have found immediate and enduring success in India's pharmaceutical sector. Their proven potential has opened doors for broader applications across industries. With current advancements in technology, it is expected that features allowing verification from smartphones and integration of blockchain will soon be added to security holograms, further strengthening the fight against counterfeiting.

All brands using the hologram technology should encourage their customers to take note of the hologram to satisfy themselves that they are indeed buying a genuine product. The shining metallic element in rainbow colours hasn't been added just for visual appeal—it's a sign that the medication is genuine and safe to use.

The fight against fake drugs is ongoing. We cannot beat this deadly virus in one day, but with security holograms we can create a barrier which will be difficult to cross. Slowly but surely, India is building an ecosystem that will make medicines secure against lookalikes and counterfeit.

All Sources:

Economictimes.indiatimes.com(*): http://bit.ly/4mWDx5q

Pharma.economictimes.indiatimes.com(**): http://bit.ly/3JNWsk7

Indianexpress.com(***): http://bit.ly/460VnNe