At the CPHI–PMEC 2025 exhibition, the holography business of UFlex showcased a wide range of next-generation anti-counterfeiting solutions designed specifically for the pharmaceutical industry. In an interaction with The Packman, Vinod Hariharan, executive vice president, Holography Business, UFlex, discussed their current innovations, their approach towards integrating physical and digital security, and the evolving challenges of brand protection in the pharma segment.
UFlex’s holography business used the platform to demonstrate a comprehensive portfolio of security solutions – ranging from holographic blister foils to advanced anti-counterfeit labels – aimed at helping pharmaceutical brands curb counterfeiting and ensure supply-chain authenticity. The primary objective, UFlex representatives shared, was to engage directly with pharma companies, brand owners, and packaging teams, and highlight how layered security solutions can effectively safeguard products.
One of the key innovations displayed at the show was a dual-registered stamped hologram, a technology the company described as a significant leap forward. Unlike conventional two-color foil stamping – which is typically applied in separate passes – this solution enables highly precise registration of two distinct stamping elements. “With this, brands can integrate complex visual elements such as names, micro-images, or even personalised identifiers with two-color precision, placed anywhere on the label,” Hariharan explained. “Since it is stamping and not a peelable hologram, it adds a strong layer of security that is extremely difficult to replicate.”
Another highlight was a multi-level, multi-color, embossed variable QR code, combining visual appeal with digital traceability. Each label carries a unique, color-coded QR code with raised embossing, making duplication more difficult. While UFlex officials clarified that QR codes alone cannot serve as a robust anti-counterfeiting barrier, combining them with physical security features significantly enhances protection. “Anti-counterfeiting is about adding layers – overt, covert, and digital. Each layer makes duplication increasingly complex,” Hariharan said.
Beyond labels and tags, UFlex is also advancing its work in holographic blister foils and lidding foils by incorporating special pigments and UV-sensitive inks. These features add yet another overt element, instantly visible to consumers and pharmacists without the need for scanning devices.
Discussing the broader landscape, Hariharan reflected on the challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry. “Although QR codes have been mandated for several top-selling pharma brands in India, actual consumer scanning remains extremely low. This gap between regulation and real-world behaviour demands the need for strong overt security features – visual elements that do not require consumer action, yet immediately signal authenticity.
Awareness, acceptance and willingness to invest remain key barriers for many companies. Anti-counterfeiting features inevitably add to packaging costs, leading brand owners to weigh cost increases against the level of duplication they face. However, Hariharan noted that several reputed pharma companies have adopted advanced security layers despite working with price-regulated products – an indication of how seriously they view brand reputation and patient safety. In some cases, companies that initially took bold decisions to adopt holographic solutions have continued with them for years because the reduction in counterfeiting has been substantial.
