Islamabad: The National Assembly was informed today that barcodes will be affixed to all medicines to help identify and prevent the sale of spurious drugs. This initiative was announced by Minister for National Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal during a session in the Assembly.

According to Radio Pakistan, Syed Mustafa Kamal explained that the barcode will also display the price and expiry date of medicines, and any related complaints can be registered through a dedicated helpline to be launched soon. He emphasized that all possible measures will be taken to eliminate the sale of counterfeit drugs.

In response to another query, Syed Mustafa Kamal revealed that the government is working on a project titled Universal Medical Record. This project aims to maintain medical data of all citizens, particularly focusing on cancer. The Computerized National Identity Card number will serve as each citizen’s Medical Record Number. Additionally, a command and control center will be established at the National Institute of Health in Islamabad.

The Minister also highlighted the alarming statistic that cervical cancer claims the lives of more than five thousand women annually in Pakistan. He noted that the vaccine for cervical cancer has been included in the national immunization program to protect the health of the nation’s daughters.

In other legislative developments, the National Assembly passed ‘The National Agri-trade and Food Safety Authority Bill, 2025’ and ‘The Capital Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2025.’ Furthermore, ‘The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) (Amendment) Bill, 2025’ was introduced in the House.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the National Assembly reiterated his office’s reconciliatory role between the government and the Opposition. He urged both parties to approach him with their suggestions to move forward for the sake of the country. The House is scheduled to reconvene on Wednesday at 11 in the morning.