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

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. Separately, Mustafa Kamal on Tuesday reviewed the progress of the Health Complaint Management System, emphasizing the need for timely resolution of public grievances and improved service delivery. The minister was given a detailed briefing on the system's latest developments, current status, operational challenges and future course of action. The meeting discussed measures to ensure effective registration of public complaints, their timely redressal and improved monitoring mechanisms to make the system more efficient and responsive. Various aspects of strengthening the system's operational capacity and ensuring better follow-up of complaints were also discussed. Mustafa Kamal stressed the importance of addressing public complaints promptly, improving the system's overall performance and ensuring transparency and accountability in the healthcare sector. He underscored that an effective complaint management mechanism was essential for improving public confidence and making healthcare services more responsive to citizens' needs. JMC projects Kamal on Tuesday reviewed the progress of ongoing projects being undertaken by Jinnah Medical Construction Company (JMC), emphasizing timely completion and transparency. The minister was given a detailed briefing by the relevant authorities on the Company's ongoing projects, construction progress, administrative matters and the current status of various development schemes. During the briefing, he sought updates on the progress of different projects and reviewed matters related to their implementation. Mustafa Kamal issued necessary directions to the concerned officials to ensure timely completion of projects and maintain transparency throughout the execution process. He stressed the importance of effective oversight and coordination to ensure that development initiatives in the health sector were completed efficiently.