THE Union government is likely to give a further extension to the deadline for implementing barcode system on pharmaceutical exports.
With the intention of tackling the growing incidence of counterfeit drugs in international markets, the Directorate-General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) had made it mandatory for all drug exporters to affix barcode on their products from July 1, 2010 onwards.
According to a senior government official privy to the process, the Union Ministry of Commerce in-principle favors extending the deadline by two-three months in response to requests from the industry.
Although the DGFT has not issued a notification in this regard, the industry is hoping for some ‘relief’’.
A functionary of a pharma company said that his firm would be in a position to comply with the barcode norms on tertiary packaging if the deadline was extended up to October 1.
Exim News Service - HYDERABAD, July 11