Federal cabinet approves track and trace system to eliminate counterfeit medicines

The federal cabinet has approved the nationwide implementation of a Track and Trace system for pharmaceutical products across Pakistan, Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal announced on Tuesday.

According to an official handout, the system aims to strengthen public health and safeguard citizens from counterfeit medicines.

The cabinet has also approved the necessary amendments to the Drug Labeling and Packing Rules, enabling the introduction of “a modern digital system for tracking and verifying medicines throughout the supply chain”, the statement said.

“This decision marks a major and historic step towards eliminating counterfeit, fake and substandard medicines from Pakistan,” said Kamal according to the statement.

“For the first time, every medicine in the country will be digitally traceable and verifiable, ensuring greater transparency, safety, and accountability,” he said.

The statement noted that under the new regulatory framework, all pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers will be required to place standardised 2D barcodes and serialisation data on medicine packaging. The system will enable regulators to monitor medicines from production to consumption, helping to identify and eliminate counterfeit products from the market, it said.

The health minister stated that once the system was implemented, consumers would be able to access authentic information regarding a medicine’s expiry date, price and verification status.

This would empower them to make informed healthcare decisions and enhance public trust in the pharmaceutical sector, according to Kamal.

The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) will oversee the nationwide rollout of the system. It will also issue detailed technical guidelines to facilitate the pharmaceutical industry’s compliance, the statement said.

“Consultative meetings with relevant stakeholders have already been conducted to ensure a smooth transition,” it added.

Kamal emphasised that the initiative would “significantly strengthen the security and quality of Pakistan’s pharmaceutical supply chain”, replacing conventional monitoring mechanisms with a modern digital framework. He highlighted that the adoption of advanced technology would position Pakistan among the leading countries in the region in pharmaceutical regulation and oversight.

“The track and trace system will establish a strong and effective barrier against counterfeit medicines and ensure the protection of public health, lives and trust,” the press release quoted the minister as saying.