ISLAMABAD, October 12, 2026: Pakistan’s Drug Regulatory Authority (DRAP) has begun implementing a track-and-trace system for medicines, marking a step towards preventing counterfeit, substandard and unregistered drugs from entering the market.
Under the new requirements, pharmaceutical products must carry a unique 2D data barcode and serial number to help verify their authenticity and improve transparency across the medicine supply chain.
According to sources cited in the report, DRAP has issued final instructions to pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers to comply with barcode and serialization requirements. The system applies to both human and veterinary medicines.
2D Barcodes Made Mandatory for Medicines
DRAP has circulated instructions to pharmaceutical and biological product importers, the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, Pharma Bureau and health departments across the provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Implementation is being introduced in phases. In the first phase, locally manufactured and imported medicines covered by the requirements must carry the prescribed 2D barcode.
According to the circular, the requirement took effect on Friday, October 9, 2026. Medicines manufactured or imported before that date are exempt from the new barcode requirement, as stated in the report.
The authority has warned that manufacturers and importers must comply with the system’s technical requirements and could face legal action for non-compliance.
Consumers Will Be Able to Verify Medicine Details
The track-and-trace system is intended to make it easier to identify counterfeit and unregistered medicines. The unique barcode and serial number will help trace products through the supply chain.
According to the report, consumers will also be able to scan the barcode to verify information about a medicine, including its expiry date, usage details and price.
The system is expected to improve supply-chain transparency and help regulators identify suspicious products more efficiently.
Federal Cabinet Approved the System
The report states that the federal cabinet has formally approved the implementation of the track-and-trace system and that DRAP has completed key regulatory preparations after consulting manufacturers and importers.
Effective enforcement will depend on compliance by pharmaceutical companies and importers, as well as the regulator’s monitoring and verification mechanisms.