Government Approves Nationwide Track and Trace System for Medicines to Curb Fake Drugs

Pakistan’s federal cabinet has approved a nationwide Track and Trace system for pharmaceutical products to combat counterfeit and substandard medicines. Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal announced the decision on Tuesday, describing it as a historic step to strengthen public health and improve drug safety. The system will introduce a digital framework to track and verify medicines throughout the supply chain, replacing traditional methods with modern technology. Under the new rules, pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers must use standardized 2D barcodes and include serialization data on medicine packaging. This will allow regulators to monitor products from production to final consumption, enabling quicker identification and removal of unsafe medicines. Consumers will also be able to verify key details such as expiry dates, prices, and authenticity status through the system. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) will oversee the nationwide rollout and issue technical guidelines to ensure smooth compliance. Consultative meetings with stakeholders have already taken place to facilitate the transition. Minister Kamal emphasized that the initiative will improve oversight, quality control, and public confidence in healthcare services. The Track and Trace system aims to align Pakistan with regional leaders in pharmaceutical regulation while acting as a safeguard for public health. By making every medicine digitally traceable for the first time, the government seeks to eliminate fake and low-quality drugs, ensuring safer and more informed health choices for citizens.