Cabinet clears nationwide medicine tracking system to enhance patient safety and eliminate counterfeit drugs from the supply chain
In a major reform for Pakistan’s healthcare sector, the federal cabinet has approved the nationwide rollout of a Track and Trace System for pharmaceutical products, introducing a digital mechanism designed to monitor medicines throughout the supply chain and curb the sale of counterfeit drugs.
Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Mustafa Kamal announced that the cabinet had also approved amendments to the Drug Labeling and Packing Rules, 1978, paving the way for the implementation of the new system.
The initiative is aimed at eliminating fake, counterfeit and substandard medicines from the market while enhancing patient safety and public confidence in the healthcare system.
“This is a historic milestone for Pakistan’s healthcare sector,” the minister said, adding that medicines would become digitally traceable and verifiable from manufacturing to consumption, improving transparency and accountability across the pharmaceutical supply chain.
How the Track and Trace System will work
Under the new framework, pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers will be required to place standardized two-dimensional (2D) barcodes and serialization data on medicine packaging.
The digital identification system will allow regulators to monitor pharmaceutical products at every stage of distribution, making it easier to identify and remove counterfeit medicines before they reach consumers.
Officials said the technology would significantly enhance monitoring capabilities and strengthen oversight of the pharmaceutical industry through real-time product verification and traceability.
Benefits for consumers
Once fully implemented, consumers will be able to verify the authenticity of medicines through digital tools and access key product information, including expiry dates, pricing details and verification status.
Health authorities believe the initiative will empower patients, reduce the circulation of fake medicines and improve confidence in pharmaceutical products available in the market.
Industry experts have also noted that the system could help reduce financial losses associated with counterfeit medicines while ensuring patients receive safe and effective treatments.
DRAP to supervise implementation
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) will oversee the nationwide implementation of the Track and Trace System and issue technical guidelines and compliance requirements for pharmaceutical manufacturers, importers and other stakeholders.
According to officials, consultations with industry representatives have already taken place to facilitate a smooth transition to the new regulatory framework.
Strengthening pharmaceutical supply chain security
Mustafa Kamal said the digital platform would modernize Pakistan’s pharmaceutical monitoring framework by replacing traditional oversight mechanisms with advanced technology-driven solutions.
He added that the adoption of the Track and Trace System would align Pakistan with international best practices in pharmaceutical regulation and strengthen supply chain transparency.
The minister said the system would create a robust defense against counterfeit medicines, protect public health and help ensure that only genuine and quality-assured medicines reach consumers.
The approval of the Track and Trace System is being viewed as one of the most significant pharmaceutical reforms in recent years, with authorities expecting it to improve healthcare outcomes, strengthen regulatory enforcement and safeguard millions of consumers from the risks associated with counterfeit and substandard medicines.
