80% of medicines to get 2D barcodes as Pakistan moves against counterfeit drugs

ISLAMABAD: (Web Desk) Pharmaceutical companies have started implementing 2D barcodes on approximately 80% of medicines as part of efforts to combat counterfeit drugs, officials said during a meeting chaired by Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal.

The meeting reviewed progress on the implementation of the 2D barcode system and was attended by the chief executive officer of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), representatives of relevant institutions and other stakeholders.

Officials informed the meeting that pharmaceutical companies had initiated the process of introducing 2D barcodes on around 80% of medicines.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health decided to issue formal notices to pharmaceutical companies that had failed to submit the required data, warning that strict legal action would be taken against those that did not comply.

Mustafa Kamal said production units of companies failing to submit medicine-related data would be sealed.

He stressed that eliminating counterfeit medicines had become essential and there would be no compromise on implementing the 2D barcode system.

The minister announced a zero-tolerance policy against non-compliance and directed pharmaceutical companies to submit their medicine serialization data to DRAP without delay.