Major milestone as Pakistan approves first digital system to curb fake medicines

ISLAMABAD – The federal cabinet has approved the implementation of a Track and Trace System for medicines to eliminate the rampant trade of fake and substandard drugs across Pakistan. To facilitate this, amendments to the Drug Labeling and Packing Rules 1978 have also been approved. Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said the decision marks a historic milestone in Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector, as traditional monitoring methods will now be replaced by a modern digital system. Key features of the new system include: 2D Barcodes: All local manufacturers and importers must include standard 2D barcodes and serialization data on every medicine pack. Digital Tracking: For the first time in Pakistan, every medicine will be digitally tracked and verified from manufacturing to medical stores. Consumer Access: Patients will be able to verify expiry dates and prices using their mobile devices. DRAP Oversight: The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan will implement the system nationwide and ensure supply chain security. Minister Kamal emphasized that the new technology will create a strong barrier against counterfeit and smuggled medicines, positioning Pakistan as a regional leader in healthcare technology and safeguarding human lives.