Starting tomorrow， all drug transactions will require scanning a “drug traceability code.” This code acts as the unique electronic identity for each box of medication. Ideally， a drug’s traceability code should only be scanned once for a sale. If it appears multiple times， it could indicate the presence of counterfeit drugs， illicit resales， or drug substitutions.
The National Healthcare Security Administration has issued guidelines on how to query and use these drug traceability codes. The process is as follows:
Step 1: Access the official WeChat account of the National Healthcare Security Administration. Navigate to “Services” and then “Drug Traceability Information Query” to enter the query page.
Alternatively， within the chat interface of the National Healthcare Security Administration’s WeChat account， select “Medical Insurance Services” and then “Drug Traceability Information Query” to reach the query page.
Step 2: On the “Drug Information Query” page， you can scan the QR code or barcode on the drug packaging to perform the query.
The query results will fall into one of four categories:
Category 1: “No product sales information found.”
If this result appears， it is recommended to try scanning again in a couple of days. If no information is still available， it suggests the selling institution has not scanned the drug’s traceability code. In such cases， you may report the issue to the selling institution or relevant authorities. This situation highlights the importance of timely and accurate data entry by pharmacies.
Category 2: “Only 1 sales record found.”
If you have indeed purchased the drug yourself， this indicates that the medication is legitimate and has been sold through proper channels. This is the expected outcome for a correctly processed transaction.
Category 3: “Only 1 sales record found.”
This message is identical to Category 2 and indicates a successful， singular sale record. The implementation of this system aims to create a transparent and auditable trail for all pharmaceuticals， thereby enhancing public trust in the medication supply chain.
Category 4: “2 or more sales records found.”
The presence of multiple sales records for the same drug’s traceability code suggests a potential issue such as drug diversion or illegal resale. Consumers encountering this result should exercise caution and consider reporting it to the authorities， as it may point to a breach in the legitimate distribution chain. This scenario directly addresses the problem of counterfeit or tampered medications entering the market.
It is crucial to note that using any software or app other than those provided or recognized by the healthcare security department to scan drug traceability codes will not yield information related to medical insurance sales settlements and will not be applicable to the methods and conclusions described above. This emphasizes the need for users to utilize official channels for accurate verification.
