The federal cabinet has approved the nationwide implementation of a Track and Trace System for pharmaceutical products, along with amendments to the Drug Labelling and Packing Rules of 1978, in a decisive move to eliminate counterfeit and substandard medicines from the market. According to a press release from the Press Information Department (PID), this new digital system will, for the first time, enable medicines to be tracked and verified throughout the entire pharmaceutical supply chain, thereby enhancing transparency, safety, and regulatory oversight.
Historic Step Towards Drug Safety
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal hailed the decision as a "major and historic step" in the fight against fake medicines in Pakistan. "For the first time, every medicine in the country will be digitally traceable and verifiable, ensuring greater transparency, safety, and accountability," he stated. Under the revised framework, all pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers will be required to affix standardized two-dimensional (2D) barcodes and serialisation data on medicine packaging. This system will empower regulators to monitor medicines from production to consumption and more effectively identify counterfeit, falsified, and substandard products.
Consumer Benefits
The minister emphasized that the initiative would bring unprecedented transparency to Pakistan's pharmaceutical sector while strengthening public confidence in available medicines. Consumers are expected to benefit directly as well. Once implemented, the public will be able to access verified information regarding a medicine's expiry date, price, and authenticity, enabling informed healthcare decisions.
Implementation and Oversight
The nationwide rollout will be overseen by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, which will issue technical guidelines for manufacturers and importers. The government confirmed that consultations with industry stakeholders have already taken place to facilitate implementation. Kamal noted that the Track and Trace System would significantly strengthen the security and integrity of the pharmaceutical supply chain by replacing conventional monitoring methods with a modern digital framework. "The Track and Trace System will establish a strong and effective barrier against counterfeit medicines and help protect public health, lives, and trust," he added.
The government described the initiative as part of broader efforts to modernize pharmaceutical regulation, improve accountability across the supply chain, and ensure that medicines reaching consumers are genuine, safe, and properly regulated. According to the minister, the adoption of advanced regulatory technologies will also position Pakistan among the leading countries in the region in terms of pharmaceutical oversight and drug safety standards.
