Tracking medicines

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The federal cabinet's approval of a nationwide track and race system for pharmaceutical products is a welcome step towards strengthening Pakistan's healthcare system. For years, the country has struggled with the presence of counterfeit and unregistered medicines that not only undermine public confidence but also pose a serious threat to human life. The introduction of a digital tracking mechanism has the potential to address a longstanding weakness in the pharmaceutical supply chain.

Under the new framework, all pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers will be required to place standardised 2D barcodes and serialisation data on medicine packaging. This will allow regulators to monitor medicines from production to consumption while enabling consumers to verify a product's authenticity, expiry date and price. Such transparency is essential in a country where fake medicines have periodically surfaced in the market despite regulatory checks and enforcement actions. Traditionally, authorities have acted after counterfeit medicines were detected or complaints were received. A track-and-trace system, however, allows suspicious products to be identified much earlier, reducing the likelihood of harmful medicines reaching patients. It will also make product recalls more efficient and help regulators detect weaknesses in the supply chain. For low-income families already burdened by rising healthcare costs, purchasing ineffective or dangerous medicines can mean the difference between recovery and tragedy.

Now, DRAP must ensure that manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies are fully integrated into the system. Smaller pharmaceutical companies may also require technical support to meet compliance requirements without facing excessive financial burdens. If implemented effectively, the system can help eliminate counterfeit medicines and improve accountability in the healthcare sector. More importantly, it can ensure that when people purchase medicine, they can do so with greater certainty that the product in their hands is safe and genuine.