By our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has announced the introduction of a modern barcode system aimed at eradicating counterfeit medicines from the Pakistani market. He made the statement during a meeting with a delegation from the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association in Islamabad, where discussions were held on boosting local pharmaceutical production, expanding exports, and reforming drug regulations.
According to the minister, the upcoming barcode system will enable consumers and regulators to verify the authenticity and pricing of any medicine sold in the country. “This initiative will help confirm the original identity and cost of each drug, making it easier to detect and eliminate fake medicines,” he said. Kamal stressed that counterfeit drugs tarnish Pakistan’s reputation and damage the credibility of its pharmaceutical industry.
The meeting also reviewed progress on the local production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), a key component of pharmaceutical manufacturing. Kamal emphasized the importance of reducing dependency on imports by ensuring domestic production of APIs, which would ultimately help save valuable foreign exchange.
Kamal noted that Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector has untapped potential and that concrete steps should be taken to increase exports. Kamal also discussed bilateral trade opportunities with Afghanistan and underscored the need for structured efforts to expand Pakistan’s access to global markets. Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Kamal said, “We are determined to eliminate fake medicines. The new barcode system is a crucial step towards building trust, improving regulation, and enhancing the image of our pharma industry worldwide.”
