Pakistan has approved a nationwide digital verification system for medicines in an effort to eliminate counterfeit and substandard drugs from the market. The federal cabinet cleared the initiative as part of broader reforms aimed at improving public health safety and strengthening the pharmaceutical supply chain.
Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal announced the decision and confirmed that the cabinet also approved amendments to the Drug Labelling and Packing Rules 1978. These changes will allow authorities to introduce a digital track and trace framework for medicines across the country.
New system aims to stop fake medicines
Under the new regulations, pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers must place standardized two dimensional barcodes and serialisation data on medicine packaging. The digital system will allow authorities and consumers to track medicines throughout the supply chain.
Consumers will also gain access to important product information through digital verification tools. They will be able to check expiry dates, prices, and authentication details before purchasing medicines.
Officials say the initiative will help identify fake medicines more quickly and reduce the circulation of unsafe pharmaceutical products in the market.
DRAP to oversee implementation process
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan will supervise the implementation of the new monitoring framework. DRAP will also provide technical guidelines to pharmaceutical companies to ensure compliance with the updated regulations.
According to the health minister, the digital verification system will improve transparency and strengthen security standards within Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector. He added that the reforms align with international practices used in modern medicine tracking systems.
The government believes advanced digital technology can help modernize the country’s healthcare monitoring infrastructure while improving consumer trust in medicines available across pharmacies and hospitals.
Industry consultations already completed
Health officials confirmed that consultations with pharmaceutical industry stakeholders have already taken place before the approval of the system. Authorities expect these discussions to support smooth implementation and reduce operational challenges during the rollout phase.
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The government also views the initiative as a major step toward protecting public health nationwide. Counterfeit medicines remain a serious concern in many countries because fake or low quality drugs can create major health risks for patients.
Officials expect the track and trace framework to create a stronger barrier against illegal pharmaceutical products and improve monitoring at every stage of medicine distribution.
The approval reflects Pakistan’s growing focus on digital reforms in healthcare and regulatory systems. As implementation begins, the digital verification system is expected to play a key role in improving medicine safety standards and protecting consumers across the country.
