Public Notice No- 59/2010 dated 30.06.2011
Deferment in the date of effect for implementation of bar-coding on export
consignment of pharmaceuticals and drugs for tracing and tracking purpose
In exercise of the powers conferred under Paragraph 2.4 of the
Foreign Trade Policy, 2009-14, as amended from time to time, Director General of
Foreign Trade hereby amends Public Notice No- 21 dated 10th January, 2011 and
prescribes the following procedure for tracing and tracking of export
consignments of pharmaceutical products.
2. (i) Exporters of pharmaceutical products will adopt a trace and track system
and incorporate its features for exported medicines using barcode technology as
per GS 1 global standards as detailed below:
a. Primary Level packaging requirement:
Incorporation of 2D (GS1 Data matrix) barcodes on medicines at
strip/vial/bottle, etc. encoding unique product identification code (GTIN) and
Unique Serial Number of the Primary pack.
b. Secondary Level packaging requirement :
Incorporation of barcodes (1D or 2 D) encoding unique product identification
code (GTIN), Batch Number, Expiry Date and Unique Serial Number of the Secondary
pack.
c. Tertiary Level packaging requirement:
Incorporation of barcodes (1 D) encoding unique product identification code (GTIN),
Batch Number, Expiry Date and Unique Serial Number of the Tertiary pack
(shipper/carton).
(ii) The trace and track technology as per serial number 2(i) above will come
into effect as follows:
(a) Primary Level packaging - With effect from 1st July, 2012
(b) Secondary Level packaging - With effect from 1st January, 2012
(c) Tertiary Level packaging - With effect from 1st October, 2011
3. In case the importing country has mandated a specific requirement, the
exporter can adhere to the same and it would not be necessary to comply with the
stipulations at serial number a, b & c of para 2 above.
4. Under the track and trace system, manufacturers would be required to maintain
serialized record of exported pharmaceutical products for a minimum period of
six months after the expiry date of the product.
5. Authentication features will be added in due course and integrated with the
trace and track system.
6. Government will set up a Central Portal for tracing and tracking exported
pharmaceutical products.
7. Effect of this Public Notice:
Earlier the requirement of affixing barcodes was to come into effect from
01.07.2011. Now more time is being allowed.
(Anup K.Pujari)
Director General of Foreign Trade
(Issued from F.No. 01/91/180/648/AM 09/Export Cell)