The implementation date of the Track and Trace or barcoding system for export of drug formulations has been extended to November 15, according to the Commerce Ministry.
In a recent notification, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade said the deadline for the implementation, of the system that aims to maintain “parent-child relationship in packaging levels and its uploading on central portal,” was being extended up to November 15. It would apply to drugs manufactured by both small scale and non-SSI units.
The Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) had highlighted the problems faced by its member-exporters with regard to its implementation to the government. It had sought for extension of time for uploading of data by the exporters on the DAVA (Drug Authentication and Verification Application) portal.
Export issues
The non-compliance of stipulations — barcoding on secondary and tertiary packing as well as uploading of the data on the portal —had resulted in the exporters facing problems at Customs, the council had pointed out.
The track and trace system, incorporating barcode technology as per GS1 global supply standards, applies for all drugs and pharmaceutical products exported from the country. The barcoding system had been mandated as a measure to address counterfeit and ineffective product recall challenge, which, the DGFT said, affects the entire healthcare supply chain from manufacturers to patients, wholesalers, distributors, exporters and healthcare providers.
