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In a country where every household keeps a stock of basic medicines, be it blood pressure tablets, painkillers or vitamin supplements, the colours of pills are more than just eye-catching designs. From calming blue capsules to urgent-looking red tablets, the shades are chosen with purpose, not merely for marketing appeal. Health experts explain that the primary purpose of colouring medicines is identification. In India, where patients often take multiple prescriptions including morning, evening or weekly doses, colour helps differentiate one pill from another and reduces confusion. Studies suggest that using different colours for different medicines can lower medicine-related errors by up to 30 per cent. Pharmacists too rely on colour coding, especially when different doses of the same drug need to be quickly identified. This becomes crucial in rural areas and among people with low literacy levels, where recognising a pill by colour is easier than reading its name. A blue tablet for blood pressure, a pink one for iron, or a yellow vitamin C pill becomes part of daily routine, reinforcing memory and reducing mistakes. Yet, colours do more than just separate one medicine from another; they influence the mind. Researchers have found that patients often associate colours with certain effects. Red, orange and yellow pills are linked with energy and quick relief, and are commonly used for stimulants or fever medicines. Blue and green shades evoke calm and trust, which is why they are often used for anti-anxiety drugs or sleeping pills. White pills are widely accepted for painkillers, considered safe, clean and reliable. Interestingly, marketing also plays a significant role. Global brands like Viagra chose blue deliberately, signifying confidence, power and trust, to create a unique identity. In India, bright red painkillers or orange vitamin tablets often enhance consumer recall, making patients believe a product is more effective or “special”. Ayurvedic medicines naturally derive their colours from herbs, while allopathic brands enhance visual appeal using permitted synthetic dyes. However, experts caution that not all colours are natural. Many pharmaceutical companies use FDA-approved colouring agents like FD&C dyes, considered generally safe but known to trigger allergic reactions in rare cases. Doctors advice patients to consult a physician if they notice rashes or side effects after taking brightly coloured pills. Despite their popularity, coloured pills also pose challenges. Over-dependence on colour recognition increases the risk of counterfeit drugs, especially in rural markets where packaging is ignored and only colour is trusted. Health officials urge people to check labels, batch numbers, holograms and expiry dates rather than relying solely on appearance. India is now one of the world’s largest medicine producers, and coloured pills have become deeply integrated into daily life – seen in hospitals, chemist shops and even household medicine boxes. Experts clarify that colour does not alter the chemical effect of a medicine; it only improves convenience, compliance and consumer trust.
