Lasersec Technologies

Counterfeit, Pharma Industry, Fake, Duplicate, Medicine, Anti-Counterfeit Solution, Pharma, Safe, Health Safe

 

Counterfeit medicines are the fake/fraud medicines which might contain adulterated or wrong ingredients or in low concentration or might not even contain any active ingredient. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines “Substandard / Spurious / Falsely labeled/ Falsified / Counterfeit (SSFFC) medical products” as medical products that are outside of specifications, which includes intentional, reckless or negligent errors, false packaging, and those intended to deliberately deceive and imitate a genuine product (WHO, n.d.).

Fake drugs can be extremely harmful to the health of consumers. The USFDA (US Food & Drug Administration) is continuously working to combat counterfeit drugs.

The counterfeits can enter the pharmaceutical industry due to various levels in the supply chain. Inferior quality raw materials and finished products can enter at any level of the supply chain. The counterfeit medicines can impose health danger to an unforeseeable extent. The most common counterfeit drugs are believed to be extensively used Antibiotics, cancer cure medicines and drugs for erectile dysfunction (as per European Commission).

These drugs can include harmful chemicals like heavy metals, acetone, water or fake & dangerous ingredients. These drugs might compromise on the drug formula or might not even have the active pharmaceutical ingredient.

The increase in medical counterfeits is also because of the online pharmacies. The European Commission has developed a logo for pharmacies/retailers which operate legally online in EU Member states. This logo helps the consumers to check if the online pharmacy website they are visiting is a legally operating pharmacy or not.

A counterfeit drug is an international issue. The volume is much less in the developed nations as compared to the developing nations because of the enhanced legislation, better regulations, and strong institutions. It has been evaluated that 10% of the medicines globally are fake. In 2008, the US government seized fake medicines worth $28.1 million.

The MEDICRIME Convention has been drafted by the Council of Europe constituting the laws on counterfeiting of drugs and medical products or any other crime which involves a threat to public health.

Counterfeit drugs have become a big market because of the increasing demand for cheap drugs and low production costs. Amendments and proper implementation of the laws and regulations are necessary to ensure the proper supply of genuine drugs and prevent fake medicines to reach the patients and consumers.

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How Tamper Evident Packaging and Track & Trace Strengthen Anti-Counterfeiting Measures

You trust the seal. So does your customer.
But what if both can be faked?

In today’s hyper-competitive and counterfeit-prone market, trust is no longer a given—it must be earned, secured, and verifiable. One compromised product doesn’t just mean financial loss. It means broken trust, customer complaints, and reputational damage.

For quality assurance teams, brand managers, and packaging heads, the challenge is clear: protecting your product is protecting your brand.

The Dual-Layer Security Model

Forward-thinking brands are now adopting a two-pronged security approach: Tamper-Evident Packaging + Track & Trace Technology
One is a physical deterrent. The other is a digital watchdog. Together, they form a resilient shield against fraud.

1. What These Tools Actually Do

Tamper-Evident Packaging

These packaging elements display clear signs of interference.
Think broken seals, VOID labels, or peeled films—immediate red flags for both consumers and supply chain teams.

2. Track & Trace Systems

Every unit is assigned a unique serialized identity, often through GS1 barcodes or QR codes.
Each scan updates the unit’s journey from production to retail, enabling full traceability and real-time monitoring through secure platforms.

Bonus: Advanced T&T systems now integrate with cloud-based dashboards, AI-based alerts, and mobile authentication tools.

Relying on only one method is like locking your front door but leaving the windows wide open.

  • Tamper seals can be replicated.
  • Digital codes can be copied.

But when combined:
Physical evidence + Digital validation = A failsafe authentication system that’s far harder to breach.

Real Time Impacts

  1. Pharmaceuticals: A sealed pack and a scannable QR code validate medication at the pharmacy. Brands using serialization aligned with DSCSA/EU FMD have reduced counterfeit reports and met compliance faster.
  2. Electronics: With encrypted QR codes and tamper seals, brands can detect unauthorized resellers and trace diversion to the source. Less warranty fraud and tighter market control.
  3. FMCG & Personal Care: A beauty brand added tamper-evident seals and scannable codes after fake products emerged online. 38% drop in complaints, increased repurchase rates, and renewed customer trust.

Why This Approach Works

  • Visible Proof:
    Customers know if the product has been tampered with.
  • Digital Traceability:
    Brands know exactly where and when a breach occurred.
  • Rapid Response:
    Identify and contain supply chain risks in real time.
  • Compliance-Ready:
    Stay ahead of evolving global regulations.
  • Brand Loyalty:
    Build trust through transparency, safety, and action.

You don’t need a massive overhaul.

Start small like:

  • Apply tamper-evident holographic labels to premium or high-risk SKUs.
  • Add QR codes connected to a secure backend system.
  • Educate your distributors and customers on scanning and verification.

Then, scale as your confidence and ROI grow.

Your Packaging Is More Than a Box

It’s your handshake, your promise, your presence in places you can’t be.

With tamper-evident packaging and track & trace working in tandem, your packaging becomes a:

  • Silent Guardian
  • Smart Communicator
  • Powerful Brand Asset

Let’s Build Smarter, Safer Packaging – Together

At Lasersec Technologies, we specialize in merging physical security with digital intelligence. Our solutions are tailored for pharma, electronics, FMCG, automotive, and consumer brands looking to stay ahead of counterfeiting risks.

The Shift from Traditional Labels to Interactive Packaging: What Brands Need to Know

Ever held a medicine pack and wondered—is this real? Is it safe?

Your customers, pharmacists, and regulators are asking the same questions every day. And the answers often begin not with a product demo or a marketing campaign—but with what’s printed, sealed, or embedded on your packaging.

We’re entering a new era—where the label isn’t just a sticker. It’s a source of truth.

The shift from traditional labels to interactive packaging is redefining how pharmaceutical brands build credibility, deliver transparency, and protect their reputation.

Why Traditional Labels Aren’t Enough Anymore

For decades, a logo, a batch number, or a hologram gave a basic sense of authenticity. But today’s pharmaceutical buyers, regulators, and patients are more informed and more skeptical. They want proof, not promises—and they want it instantly.

Consumers, pharmacists, and regulators now ask:

  • Where was this product made?
  • Is it safe to use?
  • Has it been tampered with or copied?
  • Can I trace it to the source?
A static label can’t answer these. And in an age where counterfeiting, unauthorized distribution, and regulatory audits are rising—relying only on traditional packaging methods puts patients, companies, and supply chains at risk.

What Is Interactive Packaging?

Interactive packaging blends physical labels with digital intelligence. It enables a smartphone scan—via QR code, NFC chip, dynamic watermark, or serialized code—to unlock detailed product data, authentication, and personalized content.

It offers visibility beyond the box.

Through secure and unique digital triggers (often integrated with traceability platforms), brands can:

  • Verify authenticity instantly
  • Show manufacturing details, batch numbers, expiry dates, and certifications
  • Share dosage guides, patient education, and usage instructions
  • Deliver loyalty programs or pharmacist rewards
  • Start direct engagement with patients or healthcare providers
Unlike generic codes, modern systems use dynamic serialization or cloud-linked markers that are nearly impossible to duplicate—raising the bar for counterfeiters and aligning with regulations like DSCSA, EU FMD, and TGA guidelines.

Why More Brands Are Making the Switch

The shift to interactive packaging isn’t just a technology upgrade—it’s a strategic response to life-critical risks, regulatory demands, and patient safety.

  • Authentication:
    Allows pharmacists and patients to verify medicines instantly.
  • Recall readiness:
    Offers real-time traceability and rapid product recalls if needed.
  • Transparency:
    Provides batch-level tracking and supply chain visibility.
  • Engagement:
    Enables direct patient education, feedback, and loyalty programs.
It transforms packaging from a passive layer into a smart, compliant, and protective communication tool.

The Trend Backed by Numbers

According to Research and Markets, the global smart packaging market is expected to reach USD 43.6 billion by 2030, driven by the need for secure product authentication and patient trust.

A recent study shows that 81% of consumers are more likely to trust brands that offer transparency through scannable packaging.

In the pharmaceutical industry, this trust isn’t just a competitive advantage—it’s a regulatory and ethical responsibility.

From Confusion to Confidence

A leading pharmaceutical company faced a surge in counterfeit antibiotics in regional markets. Patients and pharmacists began raising safety concerns, and regulatory bodies flagged potential supply chain gaps.

The solution?

The company implemented secure, serialized QR codes on every blister pack and bottle. Each scan by a pharmacist or consumer provided instant product verification, manufacturing details, and patient instructions.

The impact:

  • Sharp decline in counterfeit complaints
  • Increased confidence among distributors and pharmacies
  • Stronger regulatory compliance and brand trust

Thinking About the Shift?

You don’t need to overhaul your entire product portfolio at once. Begin small, scale smart.

  • Choose a product line – Start with high-risk or export-oriented SKUs.
  • Define your purpose – Focus on authentication, traceability, or patient engagement.
  • Select the right technology – Use encrypted, copy-proof serialization.
  • Design it well – Make it seamless within your existing packaging.
  • Track engagement – Monitor scans, locations, and recall readiness.
Interactive packaging platforms can integrate with your ERP, WMS, and pharma track & trace systems to provide unit-level traceability—from production to the patient’s hand.

The Label Is No Longer Just a Label

In the pharmaceutical industry, packaging isn’t just protection—it’s proof.

Interactive packaging helps pharma brands move from saying “Trust us” to confidently showing why they’re trustworthy—meeting regulatory demands, protecting patients, and building real-world credibility.

Every scan is more than just a check—it’s a chance to:

  • Win patient trust
  • Engage directly with consumers and healthcare providers
  • Protect your products and comply with regulations

When trust, safety, and compliance are at stake, make your packaging your strongest proof point. At Lasersec Technologies, we help pharmaceutical companies bridge this gap—from static to smart, from uncertain to verified.

We design secure, compliant packaging solutions that protect your medicines, engage your supply chain, and elevate your brand.