DRAP Makes Barcodes Mandatory for Pharmaceutical Products
Pakistan Introduces Mandatory Medicine Serialization System From October 19
ISLAMABAD: (Staff Reporter) – The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has introduced new requirements to strengthen the traceability of medicines, making barcodes and unique serial numbers mandatory for specified pharmaceutical products.
Under the new system, each covered pharmaceutical and biological medicine will be assigned a unique serial number. According to the notification, the requirements will apply to medicines manufactured from October 19, 2026.
Manufacturers will be required to print barcodes and unique serial numbers on medicine packaging. After the implementation deadline, covered medicines without the required barcodes will not be permitted for sale in the market.
The serialization system will allow authorities to digitally track covered medicines throughout the supply chain, from manufacturing and distribution to their availability to patients.
DRAP has directed pharmaceutical manufacturers to complete all necessary preparations ahead of the implementation of the new system. Training workshops will also be arranged for manufacturers in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Azad Jammu and Kashmir on the directions of the DRAP chairman.
The finalized regulatory framework applies to allopathic medicines, including biological products, for human and veterinary use.
However, the serialization requirements should not be interpreted as applying identically to every product regulated by DRAP. Categories including alternative medicines, nutraceuticals, medical devices, medical gases and radiopharmaceuticals fall outside the pharmaceutical serialization scope described under S.R.O. 963(I)/2026.
The distinction is significant, as describing the regulation as covering “all medicines and all DRAP products” could give an inaccurate impression of its actual scope.
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