Federal Cabinet Approves Digital Track and Trace System for Medicines
The federal cabinet has approved the implementation of a nationwide track and trace system aimed at preventing counterfeit and substandard medicines in Pakistan, according to the Ministry of Health.
Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal said the initiative will digitally track pharmaceutical products across the supply chain, allowing better monitoring and verification of medicines from production to sale.
Key Features of the System
Under the new system, all pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers will be required to print standardized 2D barcodes and serial numbers on medicine packaging. This will enable digital verification of each product.
Officials said consumers will be able to check important details such as expiry dates and price information through the system, helping improve transparency in the pharmaceutical market.
Regulatory Amendments Approved
The cabinet also approved amendments to the Drug Labelling and Packing Rules, 1978, paving the way for the rollout of the digital monitoring system across the country.
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) will oversee implementation and ensure compliance by pharmaceutical companies.
Objective: Eliminate Fake Medicines
Health authorities stated that the primary goal of the initiative is to eliminate counterfeit medicines and improve the safety of pharmaceutical products available in the market.
The government believes the system will strengthen regulatory oversight and reduce risks associated with fake or substandard drugs.
Industry Implementation
Pharmaceutical companies will be required to adopt new packaging standards as part of the rollout. DRAP is expected to issue technical guidelines to assist manufacturers and importers in transitioning to the new system.
Officials said consultations with stakeholders have already been held to ensure smooth implementation of the digital tracking mechanism.
The initiative is being described as a major step toward modernizing Pakistan’s healthcare and pharmaceutical monitoring system.
