Cabinet clears nationwide track and trace system for medicines

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has approved the nationwide rollout of a track and trace system for pharmaceutical products, with Health Minister Mustafa Kamal saying the move is aimed at strengthening public health safeguards and curbing counterfeit medicines.

According to an official handout, the cabinet also approved amendments to the Drug Labeling and Packing Rules to allow the introduction of what it described as a modern digital mechanism for tracking and verifying medicines across the supply chain.

The statement said the new framework would require all pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers to place standardised 2D barcodes and serialisation data on medicine packaging. It added that the system would enable regulators to monitor medicines from production through to consumption, helping identify and remove fake products from the market.

Kamal described the cabinet decision as a major development in efforts to tackle counterfeit and substandard drugs in the country. He said the system would make medicines digitally traceable and verifiable, improving transparency, safety and accountability in the sector.

The minister said that after implementation, consumers would be able to obtain authentic information about a medicine’s expiry date, price and verification status. According to the statement, he said this would help people make informed healthcare decisions and build confidence in the pharmaceutical sector.

Regulatory oversight and implementation

The official handout said the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan will supervise the nationwide implementation of the system and issue detailed technical guidelines to help the pharmaceutical industry comply with the new requirements.

It added that consultative meetings with relevant stakeholders had already been held to support a smooth transition to the new framework.

Kamal said the initiative would reinforce the security and quality of Pakistan’s pharmaceutical supply chain by replacing conventional monitoring arrangements with a digital system. The statement added that he said the adoption of advanced technology would place Pakistan among the leading countries in the region in terms of pharmaceutical regulation and oversight.

According to the press release, the minister said the system would create an effective barrier against counterfeit medicines and help protect public health.

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

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

Describing the expected impact of the initiative, the press release also quoted him as saying: “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.”