This push comes as the Philippines remains on the radar of international agencies for fraudulent medicine products.
GS1 Philippines, a member organization of GS1, is pushing for the adoption of barcode technology to protect consumers and lead the Philippines’ fight against counterfeit medicines and medicine supplies.
The GS1 system of standards is the most widely used supply chain standards system in the world.
This is in response to a report by the US Trade Representative (USTR) this year, which cited the Philippines as part of its watchlist for growing concerns about the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit pharmaceutical products.
In a statement, the USTR described the country as one of the leading sources of counterfeit medicines distributed globally.
In a similar report, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) revealed in 2019 that the Philippines has the most cases of pharmaceutical crime incidents, including counterfeiting, in the Southeast Asian region.
To address these challenges, GS1 Philippines said that it has been actively implementing Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs), which aims to standardize labeling and tracking systems, streamline the management of medicines and supplies, and improve the supply chain.
GTINs can capture crucial data, such as the date of manufacture, expiration date, and the manufacturer’s name, enhancing product identification and verification.
“The threat of counterfeit medicines compromises both consumer safety and trust in healthcare providers. By leveraging barcode technology, we can establish a cohesive integration of global standards that prioritizes patient safety, particularly in regions facing serious challenges with counterfeit products,” said GS1 Philippines President Roberto Claudio.
GS1 Philippines is currently conducting various initiatives, such as seminars and activations, to promote the streamlined integration of barcode technology across the healthcare supply chain.
This involves pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors, group purchasing organizations, hospitals, pharmacies, logistics providers, governmental and regulatory bodies, and trade associations.
Meanwhile, Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) Executive Director Teodoro B. Padilla, who is also an Officer and Trustee of GS1 Philippines, underscored the importance of collaboration to enhance barcode awareness among stakeholders in the healthcare sector.
“To further strengthen our fight against fake drugs, PHAP urges collaboration among pharmaceutical companies, regulatory bodies, healthcare providers, and the general public to expedite the adoption of this technology, strictly enforce regulations, and increase awareness to ensure the safety and well-being of Filipino patients,” Padilla said.
GS1’s global healthcare division, GS1 Healthcare, has been driving the implementation of GS1 Standards since 2008 to improve patient safety and supply chain efficiency.
GS1 Philippines affirmed its committment to help prepare local industries for the global shift to 2D barcodes by 2027, and aligning them wkth international standards to enhance the country’s competitiveness in the global market.
With the adoption of 2D barcodes, which include GS1 DataMatrix, products can carry comprehensive data, ensuring globally recognized identification and traceability in the healthcare sector.
With over 5,000 members nationwide, GS1 Philippines continues to expand its support for various industries, including 31 companies actively utilizing barcodes in the healthcare supply chain.