Track and Trace system will help eliminate counterfeit and substandard medicines: Mustafa Kamal
Islamabad: Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has said that the implementation of a new Track and Trace System will create a strong and effective barrier against counterfeit medicines in Pakistan.
According to the Ministry of Health, the government has taken a major step to ensure the eradication of fake medicines across the country by modernizing the pharmaceutical regulatory framework.
The health minister stated that the new system will enable authorities to identify and eliminate counterfeit, substandard, and imitation medicines from the market.
Mustafa Kamal said that the federal cabinet has formally approved the implementation of the Track and Trace System for medicines. He added that necessary amendments to the Drug Labelling and Packing Rules, 1978, have also been approved, describing the move as a historic milestone in the fight against fake medicines.
Under the new framework, every medicine will be digitally tracked and verified for the first time. Consumers will also be able to access authentic information regarding a medicine’s expiry date and price through the system.
The minister said that the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan will oversee nationwide implementation. Under the revised rules, all pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers will be required to print standardized 2D barcodes and serialization data on medicine packaging.
He noted that the initiative aims to strengthen the pharmaceutical supply chain, improve quality control, and enhance transparency, positioning Pakistan among the leading countries in the region adopting modern regulatory technologies.
Mustafa Kamal further said that traditional monitoring methods will be replaced by a modern digital system, helping safeguard public health, protect lives, and strengthen consumer confidence.
He added that consultations with relevant stakeholders have already been held and that DRAP will soon issue technical guidelines to facilitate the pharmaceutical industry in implementing the new requirements.
