Pakistan’s federal cabinet approved a pharmaceutical track and trace system that will require manufacturers and importers to place standardised 2D barcodes and serialisation data on medicine packaging. The measure is intended to help regulators identify counterfeit products in Pakistan.
The cabinet also approved amendments to drug labelling and packing rules. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) will oversee implementation and issue technical guidelines
For packaging operations, the decision establishes a requirement to incorporate machine readable identification into medicine packs. Manufacturers and importers will need to apply the specified barcode and serialisation data. DRAP’s technical guidance will be central to determining how those requirements are implemented, including barcode format, placement, readability and data submission procedures. That work links printed codes to product records and makes packaging a point of entry for the planned verification system. The government said the system would allow regulators to monitor medicines from production to consumption. It has held consultations with industry.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said the initiative aimed to address counterfeit and substandard medicines. “For the first time, every medicine in the country will be digitally traceable and verifiable,” he said. The statement also said consumers would be able to check a medicine’s expiry date, price and verification status.
The policy connects pack level coding with a digital record that can be used to verify products. Its practical effect on printers, carton converters and pharmaceutical packaging suppliers will depend on the technical specifications issued by DRAP.