Pakistan’s Ministry of Health is advancing efforts to combat counterfeit medicines by implementing a 2D barcode system, according to a recent meeting chaired by Health Minister Mustafa Kamal. The move is expected to enhance patient safety and boost the pharmaceutical industry’s reputation and exports.
Senior officials, including the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) CEO and chief executives from the Pharma Bureau and Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association (PPMA), attended the session. Participants discussed the comprehensive plan for executing the 2D barcode system, which aims to ensure the authenticity of medicines and eradicate counterfeit drugs from the market.
Minister Kamal emphasized that, following DRAP’s digitalization, introducing the 2D barcode system has become essential to eliminating fake medicines. He presented a detailed roadmap for implementation and acknowledged valuable suggestions from industry stakeholders, who pledged their strong support for the initiative.
Industry representatives praised the government’s action, describing it as a historic and revolutionary step for the pharmaceutical sector. They reiterated their commitment to cooperate in eradicating counterfeit medicines. According to the minister, this project will not only safeguard patient health but also foster growth in pharmaceutical exports by enhancing trust in locally produced medicines.
A follow-up meeting is scheduled for this initiative to track progress and further collaborate with industry players on ensuring the project’s successful implementation. The ministry believes this system marks a significant milestone in the ongoing modernization of Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry.
