New medicine verification system

Buying medicines from pharmacies is part of everyday life but how can people know whether a medicine is genuine or fake?

Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has shared a simple method that could help people check the authenticity of medicines using their mobile phones.

According to News, Mustafa Kamal shared the details during a session of the National Assembly.

New system to help identify fake medicines

Speaking in the National Assembly the health minister said the government was working to eliminate fake medicines across the country.

He added that the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) had been given wider powers to take action against counterfeit medicines. According to the minister the government has a database of around 75,000 medicines.

A new verification system is expected to become operational from next month.

Check medicines by scanning a barcode

Mustafa Kamal explained that people would be able to check whether a medicine is genuine or fake through a mobile app and barcode scanning system.

He advised people to carry their mobile phones when buying medicines from the end of November.

The process is expected to be simple

•Open the relevant mobile app.

Scan the barcode printed on the medicine’s label or bottle.

Check the result displayed on the phone.

A red warning sign will appear if the medicine is identified as fake. However the system’s actual launch and availability will determine when people can start using this facility.

Government faces challenges in vaccine funding

The health minister also discussed Pakistan’s healthcare budget and dependence on international support.

He said foreign assistance accounts for only around 3% of the country’s health budget, with vaccines receiving the largest share of this support.

According to him Pakistan will have to purchase all its vaccines using its own resources by 2030.  This could cost around $1.2 billion, so preparations need to begin now.

No Shortage of Flu Vaccines in Pakistan

Mustafa Kamal also discussed the availability of flu vaccines. He said Pakistan previously had four flu vaccine brands. When two companies requested permission to increase their prices the government did not approve their demands.

As a result those companies stopped importing their vaccines. However the minister assured the National Assembly that Pakistan was not facing a shortage of flu vaccines.

China donated hospital Starts operations

The minister also shared an update about a hospital built with support from China. He said China had provided a hospital worth Rs980 million as a gift to Pakistan. However the facility remained unused for a long time causing its medical equipment to become damaged.

The government has now converted it into a public hospital. Indus Hospital has qualified to manage its operations.

According to Mustafa Kamal the 182-bed hospital has started providing services and is expected to remain operational.