DRAP Makes Barcodes and Unique Serial Numbers Mandatory for Medicines

The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has introduced a new medicine traceability system that will require pharmaceutical companies to use barcodes and unique serial numbers on specified medicines.

The initiative is aimed at improving the monitoring of pharmaceutical products and allowing regulators to track medicines throughout the supply chain.

New Requirement From October 19

Under the notification, pharmaceutical and biological medicines manufactured from October 19, 2026 will be required to carry unique serial numbers.

The required barcodes and serial numbers will be printed on medicine packaging. After the implementation deadline, pharmaceutical products covered by the system without the required barcode will not be permitted for sale in the market.

The system is intended to give regulators better visibility of medicines from the manufacturing stage through distribution and ultimately to patients.

Digital Tracking System

DRAP plans to use a digital platform to maintain records of medicines and monitor their movement through different stages of the supply chain.

The serialization system can help authorities identify individual medicine packs and maintain more detailed records, which is expected to strengthen traceability and regulatory oversight.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers have been instructed to complete the necessary preparations before the new requirements take effect.

Training for Pharmaceutical Companies

To help manufacturers understand and implement the new system, DRAP will organize training workshops for industry representatives.

The workshops will be held in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Azad Jammu and Kashmir under the direction of the DRAP chairman.

The training is intended to assist pharmaceutical companies in preparing their systems and packaging processes ahead of the implementation deadline.

Which Medicines Are Covered?

The serialization framework applies to allopathic medicines, including biological products intended for both human and veterinary use.

However, the notification excludes several categories from the new requirements. These include:

• Alternative medicines
• Nutraceuticals
• Medical devices
• Medical gases
• Radiopharmaceuticals

The new traceability measures are part of DRAP’s efforts to strengthen oversight of pharmaceutical products and improve the ability to track medicines in the market.