<h1>India Enforces Barcoding for Pharma Exports to Combat Counterfeiting, With Exemptions for Small Manufacturers Until 2017.</h1> The Indian government mandated barcoding for pharmaceutical exports to protect the brand value and counter allegations of counterfeit drugs. This requirement applies to drug formulations, with barcodes printed according to GSI Global Standards. Despite initial concerns from the SME Pharma Industries Confederation about a lack of consultation, the implementation involved multiple stakeholder consultations and amendments. The barcoding system was phased in, starting with tertiary packs in 2011 and secondary packs in 2013. Small-scale manufacturers received exemptions from certain requirements until March 2017, as announced by the Commerce and Industry Minister in a Rajya Sabha reply.