Standard Bar Code Label on Drugs as Safeguard

Debated in Parliament on 1 Aug 2017.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

K Thanaletchimi proposed making it mandatory for all drug manufacturers and suppliers to include a standard barcode on unit packs with product name, batch number, and expiry date before import, registration, and sale in Singapore to ensure drug integrity and traceability.
Gan Kim Yong responded that the Health Sciences Authority already requires licensed entities to maintain records and include product details on unit packs, and conducts post-market surveillance, with plans to improve current systems.
The Health Sciences Authority supports standardized barcoding in principle but notes the lack of an international harmonized standard, and warns that imposing a unique Singapore requirement could deter drug suppliers or increase costs for patients.
The authority will monitor international developments in barcoding standards while continuing to enhance existing drug safety and traceability measures without immediate changes to mandatory barcoding.

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K Thanaletchimi

Ms K Thanaletchimi asked the Minister for Health whether it can be made mandatory for all manufacturers or suppliers of drugs to have a standard bar code with product name, batch number and expiry date on its unit pack before they are imported, registered and sold in Singapore so as to safeguard the integrity of the drugs and to facilitate drug traceability.

Gan Kim Yong

Today, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) requires all manufacturers, importers and wholesalers of drugs to be licensed. To ensure traceability and supply chain integrity, they will need to keep records for every receipt and supply of drugs and comply with standards in distribution. A drug's product name, batch number, expiry date and registration number will have to be indicated on each unit pack. In addition, HSA carries out post-market surveillance on quality or safety concerns arising from drugs.

HSA agrees that a standardised bar-coding system can further improve drug traceability. Unfortunately, there is yet to be an internationally harmonised bar-coding standard for drug manufacturers and suppliers. Given our small market size, imposing our own requirement for all drug manufacturers and suppliers to adopt a standard bar-code could lead to companies being deterred from bringing their drugs into Singapore or passing on the additional cost to patients. This would not be beneficial to Singaporeans.

HSA will continue to monitor international developments in this area. At the same time, it will continue to improve on its current system on drug safety and traceability.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

K Thanaletchimi proposed making it mandatory for all drug manufacturers and suppliers to include a standard barcode on unit packs with product name, batch number, and expiry date before import, registration, and sale in Singapore to ensure drug integrity and traceability.
Gan Kim Yong responded that the Health Sciences Authority already requires licensed entities to maintain records and include product details on unit packs, and conducts post-market surveillance, with plans to improve current systems.
The Health Sciences Authority supports standardized barcoding in principle but notes the lack of an international harmonized standard, and warns that imposing a unique Singapore requirement could deter drug suppliers or increase costs for patients.
The authority will monitor international developments in barcoding standards while continuing to enhance existing drug safety and traceability measures without immediate changes to mandatory barcoding.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Standard Bar Code Label on Drugs as Safeguard | PAPERCUTS

Standard Bar Code Label on Drugs as Safeguard

Debated in Parliament on 1 Aug 2017.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

K Thanaletchimi proposed making it mandatory for all drug manufacturers and suppliers to include a standard barcode on unit packs with product name, batch number, and expiry date before import, registration, and sale in Singapore to ensure drug integrity and traceability.
Gan Kim Yong responded that the Health Sciences Authority already requires licensed entities to maintain records and include product details on unit packs, and conducts post-market surveillance, with plans to improve current systems.
The Health Sciences Authority supports standardized barcoding in principle but notes the lack of an international harmonized standard, and warns that imposing a unique Singapore requirement could deter drug suppliers or increase costs for patients.
The authority will monitor international developments in barcoding standards while continuing to enhance existing drug safety and traceability measures without immediate changes to mandatory barcoding.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

K Thanaletchimi

Gan Kim Yong

HSA will continue to monitor international developments in this area. At the same time, it will continue to improve on its current system on drug safety and traceability.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

K Thanaletchimi proposed making it mandatory for all drug manufacturers and suppliers to include a standard barcode on unit packs with product name, batch number, and expiry date before import, registration, and sale in Singapore to ensure drug integrity and traceability.
Gan Kim Yong responded that the Health Sciences Authority already requires licensed entities to maintain records and include product details on unit packs, and conducts post-market surveillance, with plans to improve current systems.
The Health Sciences Authority supports standardized barcoding in principle but notes the lack of an international harmonized standard, and warns that imposing a unique Singapore requirement could deter drug suppliers or increase costs for patients.
The authority will monitor international developments in barcoding standards while continuing to enhance existing drug safety and traceability measures without immediate changes to mandatory barcoding.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Standard Bar Code Label on Drugs as Safeguard

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Questions Identified

Full Transcript

K Thanaletchimi

Gan Kim Yong

Summary

Questions Identified

Standard Bar Code Label on Drugs as Safeguard

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

K Thanaletchimi

Gan Kim Yong

Summary

Questions Identified