The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has announced October 9 as the deadline for introducing a mandatory 2D barcode and serialization system on all Medicine packaging across the country. The new system will apply to both human and veterinary medicines and is designed to improve safety and transparency in the pharmaceutical sector.
Under the new rules, every pharmaceutical manufacturer and importer must print a unique 2D barcode on each Medicine pack. The barcode will include serialization data that identifies every product individually. This information will help authorities track medicines from production to the final consumer.
DRAP will manage the nationwide rollout through its Pharma Track and Trace System. The authority believes the digital system will strengthen monitoring across the pharmaceutical supply chain. It will also make it easier to identify genuine products and detect suspicious or counterfeit items.
The regulatory authority has already issued implementation instructions to pharmaceutical companies. It has also informed important industry organizations, including the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA), Pakistan Veterinary Pharmaceutical Association (PVPA), Pharma Bureau, provincial drug control authorities, and drug inspectors. These stakeholders are expected to support the implementation process before the deadline.
The federal cabinet has approved the initiative through amendments to the Drugs Labelling and Packing Rules, 1978. Pharmaceutical companies have been directed to complete all required technical and operational preparations before October 9. Full compliance will be mandatory once the new regulations come into effect.
One of the biggest benefits of the new system is that consumers will be able to verify the authenticity of a Medicine by scanning its 2D barcode with a smartphone. This feature will help people confirm whether a product is genuine before using it.
The barcode will also provide useful details about the product. Consumers can access information such as the expiry date, official retail price, batch details, and usage instructions. This added transparency is expected to improve public confidence in the pharmaceutical market.
Officials say the Pharma Track and Trace System will improve product traceability and reduce the circulation of counterfeit and substandard medicines. The digital verification process is also expected to support regulators in monitoring the movement of pharmaceutical products across Pakistan.
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With the October 9 deadline approaching, pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers are expected to complete all necessary upgrades. DRAP believes the new barcode system will play an important role in improving Medicine safety and protecting consumers from fake products.
