ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s federal cabinet has approved the nationwide implementation of a digital Track and Trace system for pharmaceutical products, a major regulatory reform aimed at eliminating counterfeit medicines and strengthening the integrity of the country’s healthcare supply chain.
The decision, announced by Federal Minister for National Health Services Mustafa Kamal on Tuesday, is expected to transform the monitoring and verification of medicines across Pakistan by introducing a modern digital framework capable of tracking pharmaceutical products from manufacturing facilities to end consumers.
As part of the initiative, the cabinet also approved amendments to the country’s Drug Labelling and Packaging Rules, paving the way for the mandatory use of standardised two-dimensional (2D) barcodes and serialisation data on medicine packaging. The new requirements will apply to both domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers.
According to officials, the system would allow regulators to monitor the movement of medicines throughout the supply chain, helping authorities detect, trace and remove counterfeit, falsified and substandard products from the market more effectively.
Describing the approval as a landmark development for public health, Kamal said the programme represented a significant step towards ensuring that medicines available to patients are genuine, safe and of verified quality.
According to the health minister, every medicine covered under the system will carry a unique digital identity, enabling complete traceability and improving transparency and accountability within the pharmaceutical sector.
Once fully operational, consumers will be able to verify the authenticity of medicines through digital tools and access important product information, including expiry dates, pricing details and verification status.
Authorities believe this will empower patients to make informed healthcare choices while increasing public confidence in the country’s medicine supply system.
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) will supervise the nationwide rollout of the programme and issue detailed technical guidelines to assist pharmaceutical companies in complying with the new requirements.
Government officials said consultations with industry stakeholders have already been conducted to facilitate a smooth transition and address operational concerns before implementation begins on a broader scale.
According to the minister, the initiative would replace conventional monitoring methods with advanced digital technology, significantly enhancing oversight of pharmaceutical products across the country.
He added that the adoption of internationally recognised traceability mechanisms would strengthen Pakistan’s regulatory framework and align it more closely with global best practices.
Health authorities believe the system will serve as a robust safeguard against the circulation of counterfeit medicines, which remain a serious challenge in many developing healthcare markets.
By improving traceability, regulators will be better equipped to identify irregularities, prevent illegal distribution and protect patients from potentially harmful products.
The government expects the Track and Trace programme to enhance medicine safety, reinforce regulatory compliance and contribute to a more transparent and secure pharmaceutical ecosystem, ultimately helping to protect public health and strengthen trust in Pakistan’s healthcare system.
