VMD updates guidance on QR codes for veterinary medicinal product packaging

QR codes on packaging will allow access to additional educational and instructional material.

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has updated its guidance on the use of QR codes on authorised veterinary medicinal product packaging. 

The changes will allow marketing authorisation holders (MAHs) to link QR codes on packaging to additional educational and instructional material, supporting product users with extra guidance.

Our previous guidance permitted QR codes on packaging to only link to non-public-facing material, such as internal manufacturing information, or to the approved product text. However, now MAHs can link to additional educational and instructional content, provided it complies with new QR code principles published on the Product Literature Standards (PLS).

These updates are intended to improve digital access to product information for veterinary professionals and product users.

These changes will make it easier for pet owners to access clear, helpful information about the veterinary medicines they use.

You may start to see QR codes appearing on more veterinary medicine packaging. Scanning these codes with your smartphone may take you directly to educational and instructional content provided by pharmaceutical companies - such as guidance on how to administer the medicine correctly, what to expect during treatment, or how to store the product safely. 

This information is in addition to the instructions already on the packaging and label. It is designed to help you feel confident using veterinary medicines correctly and safely, which matters for your animal’s health and welfare.

Not all products will have QR codes on their packaging, as it is not a requirement, additionally, pharmaceutical companies may use QR codes for their own compliance and counterfeit contingencies rather than public-facing informative purposes.