ISLAMABAD — Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal has reviewed progress on Pakistan’s pharmaceutical track-and-trace programme, including plans to introduce standardised 2D barcodes on medicine packaging.
The meeting examined work under way to strengthen medicine identification and monitoring across the supply chain. Officials also discussed steps towards achieving World Health Organization Level-3 regulatory maturity in the pharmaceutical sector.
The federal cabinet approved nationwide implementation of the pharmaceutical Track & Trace System in June, alongside changes to the Drug Labeling and Packing Rules, 1978.
The programme provides for 2D barcodes and serialisation information on medicine packaging, enabling products to be identified and checked as they move from manufacturers and importers through distribution channels.
Health authorities intend to use the system to improve oversight of medicines and help prevent counterfeit and substandard products from reaching patients. Standardised digital identification can also support more efficient record-keeping and product tracing within the pharmaceutical industry.
The September review covered implementation progress and further work required from the institutions involved. Manufacturers, importers, distributors and regulators will all have roles in establishing the systems used to record and verify medicine information.
The government is pursuing the barcode initiative alongside broader improvements to pharmaceutical regulation. WHO Level-3 maturity is an international benchmark for a stable and functioning regulatory system.
Officials are expected to continue work on the rollout and related regulatory measures as Pakistan strengthens medicine safety and supply-chain monitoring.