ISLAMABAD: Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has reviewed trials of a 2D barcode system aimed at eliminating counterfeit medicines across Pakistan, as the government moves towards strengthening medicine traceability and consumer protection.
The meeting was chaired by Mustafa Kamal and attended by the chief executive officers of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) and the National Information Technology Board (NITB).
During the meeting, the DRAP chief executive briefed the health minister on the implementation of 2D barcodes and serialisation across the pharmaceutical sector.
Mustafa Kamal said the Ministry of National Health Services was committed to eliminating counterfeit medicines throughout the country. He added that the ministry had been working on introducing the 2D barcode system for approximately 18 months.
According to the briefing, medicines manufactured after the specified October deadline will be required to carry a 2D barcode. Local and multinational pharmaceutical companies will also be required to include barcode and serialisation information on their products.
Imported medicines will likewise be subject to the requirement and will not be permitted for sale in Pakistan without the prescribed 2D barcode, according to the report.
DRAP has completed relevant training for pharmaceutical company representatives and other stakeholders to facilitate implementation of the system.
Under the proposed mechanism, consumers will be able to use a mobile application to verify the authenticity of medicines and check their prices and expiry dates. Pharmacies, medical stores and members of the public will be able to use the application for verification.
The barcode system will also extend to veterinary and poultry medicines. The health minister emphasised that medicines used for animals are directly connected to human health, highlighting the importance of ensuring their quality and safety as well.
The initiative aims to improve medicine traceability, strengthen regulatory oversight and help protect consumers from counterfeit pharmaceutical products.