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GS1 Philippines is calling for widespread adoption of barcode technology to curb the increasing problem of counterfeit medicines, as the country emerges as a top source of fake pharmaceuticals.

PRESS RELEASE

GS1 Philippines pushes for barcode technology adoption as PH emerges as leading source of counterfeit medicines

Philippines – GS1 Philippines, the leading organization on local barcode standards, is advocating for the adoption of barcode technology to protect consumers and lead the Philippines’ fight against counterfeit medicines and medicine supplies.

This push comes as the Philippines remains on the radar of international agencies for fraudulent medicine products.

Early this year, the US Trade Representative (USTR) cited the Philippines in its US piracy 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 2019, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) revealed the Philippines has the most cases of pharmaceutical crime incidents, including counterfeiting, in Southeast Asia.

To address these challenges, GS1 Philippines has been actively implementing Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs), which 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 Roberto “Bobby” Claudio, President of GS1 Philippines.

GS1 Philippines is conducting initiatives, such as seminars and activations, to promote the streamlined integration of barcode technology across the healthcare supply chain, including pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors, group purchasing organizations, hospitals, pharmacies, logistics providers, governmental and regulatory bodies, and trade associations.

Teodoro B. Padilla, Executive Director of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) and Officer and Trustee of GS1 Philippines, underscores the importance of collaboration to enhance barcode awareness among stakeholders in the healthcare sector.

“PHAP supports this innovation, acknowledging its potential to verify products and prevent counterfeit medicines from reaching patients. 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 Philippines’ initiatives complement the government’s vision of modernizing the delivery and supply chain in the healthcare sector. The Department of Health (DOH) recently emphasized the need following the discovery of over PHP 1 million worth of expired medicines in Albay.

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 is committed to preparing local industries for the global shift to 2D barcodes by 2027, aligning with international standards and enhancing 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.

For more information about GS1 Philippines’ implementation of GS1 barcodes, membership, and upcoming conferences, visit https://www.gs1ph.org/ or email membership@gs1ph.org.

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About GS1 Philippines

GS1 Philippines is a member organization of GS1, a leading global organization dedicated to the design and implementation of global standards and solutions to improve the efficiency and visibility of supply and demand chains globally and across sectors. The GS1 system of standards is the most widely used supply chain standards system in the world.

GS1 Philippines is the only organization internationally recognized and authorized to administer the GS1 System in the Philippines. It is the only body in the Philippines authorized to issue GS1 company prefixes.

GS1 Philippines is part of a global barcoding and numbering organization that licenses authorized barcode numbers for businesses. Businesses can then put these barcode numbers on their products to sell them locally and globally.

For more information, visit https://www.gs1ph.org/. 

Highlights

• Counterfeit Medicine Threat: The Philippines has emerged as a significant source of counterfeit medicines, posing risks to public health.
• GS1 Advocacy: GS1 Philippines is pushing for the widespread use of barcode technology to combat fake drugs and improve pharmaceutical traceability.
• Improving Drug Safety: Barcode technology enables precise tracking and verification of medicines, reducing the circulation of counterfeit products.
• Public Health Protection: GS1’s initiative is aimed at safeguarding the health of Filipino consumers by ensuring the authenticity of pharmaceutical products.
• Global Supply Chain Impact: Barcode technology adoption will enhance the integrity of the global pharmaceutical supply chain, reducing the risk of counterfeit drugs entering the market.

Conclusion

GS1 Philippines is leading a vital push for the adoption of barcode technology as the country faces an alarming rise in counterfeit medicines. By enhancing traceability and drug safety, barcode technology can play a crucial role in protecting consumers from fake medicines and improving the integrity of pharmaceutical supply chains. As the Philippines becomes a key source of counterfeit drugs, the call for advanced tracking solutions is more urgent than ever.

The initiative spearheaded by GS1 Philippines will not only safeguard public health but also strengthen the pharmaceutical industry’s ability to detect and prevent counterfeit medicines. Adoption of this technology is crucial in securing the future of healthcare in the country and ensuring that Filipinos have access to safe, authentic medicines.

Key Phrases

1. GS1 Philippines barcode technology
2. Counterfeit medicines in the Philippines
3. Barcode tech adoption in healthcare
4. Combatting fake pharmaceuticals
5. Medicine traceability and safety
6. Pharmaceutical industry protection
7. Drug authentication technology
8. GS1 fights counterfeit drugs
9. Public health and counterfeit medicine
10. Supply chain integrity in healthcare

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7. #PharmaceuticalSupplyChain
8. #PublicHealth
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Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute endorsement of any specific technologies or methodologies and financial advice or endorsement of any specific products or services.

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