Kamal warns pharma companies of action over 2D bar-code compliance

ISLAMABAD, Nov 03 (APP): Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal has warned pharmaceutical companies of strict legal action, sealing of production units, for failing to submit mandatory data for the implementation of 2D barcodes on medicines.

Chairing a meeting to assess progress on the implementation of the 2D barcode system following the October 9 deadline, the minister said around 80 per cent of pharmaceutical companies had initiated the process of introducing 2D barcodes on their medicines.

The meeting was attended by the Chief Executive Officer of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), representatives of relevant institutions and other stakeholders.

Mustafa Kamal and the Ministry of National Health Services decided to issue formal notices to companies that had failed to submit the required data to DRAP.

He warned that companies failing to comply within the stipulated period would face strict legal action, adding that production units of those not submitting the required data could be sealed.

The minister said eliminating counterfeit medicines had become imperative and there would be no compromise on the implementation of the 2D barcode system.

He announced a zero-tolerance policy towards non-compliance and directed all pharmaceutical companies to submit their serialization data to DRAP in accordance with the prescribed requirements.

He said the system was essential for ensuring effective monitoring of medicines, transparency and a reliable track-and-trace mechanism across the pharmaceutical supply chain.

The minister emphasized that strict implementation of the system would help curb counterfeit medicines and strengthen public confidence in the quality and authenticity of medicines available in the market.