Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal has announced a major step toward medicine safety and transparency in Pakistan. Speaking on Monday, he revealed that all medicines sold in the country will carry barcodes within the next three months, allowing consumers to verify authenticity, expiry dates, and other essential details using their mobile phones.
While the government is technically ready to implement the system, the pharmaceutical industry has requested a three-month grace period to comply with the new requirement.
In another important development, the minister said the government is expanding the age limit for polio vaccinations. In response to recent cases found in older children, the programme will now cover children up to 15 years of age in high-risk areas, including Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and parts of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The new national target for complete eradication of polio has been set for December 2026.
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Kamal also highlighted major changes coming in the national health policy, which is currently awaiting final approval from the Prime Minister. A key part of these reforms includes the full digitalization of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), with an official launch expected within a week.
Addressing public health, the minister said his proposal to impose a 50% tax on sugary drinks was not accepted by the federal government.
In the nursing sector, the legal framework of the Nursing Council is being revised. Pakistan faces a shortfall of 900,000 nurses, with global demand for trained professionals reaching 2.5 million.
