Counterfeit medicines face challenge from new UAE platform

In a regional first, the UAE's Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has developed a digital track and trace platform to tackle unauthorised healthcare products.

Called "Tatmeen", the system aims to fortify and secure the national supply chain.

The platform will use advanced serialisation and tracing technology to track medicines from production to end-use.

The Ministry is partnering with EVOTEQ, a UAE-based digital solution provider, for its development and operation.

In addition to tackling counterfeits, the platform also aims to help consumers verify products at the point of purchase, providing visibility on origins, safety, and validity through a unique, serialised 2-D matrix bar code

The platform will be designed considering the future needs of the UAE healthcare market and integrated with the existing services provided by the authorities.

The Assistant Under-Secretary of the Support Services for MoHAP, Awad Saghir Al Ketbi, stated that "Tatmeen" will be based on an advanced track and trace product for pharmaceuticals which will serve as the core serialisation repository.

Al Ketbi said with the use of advanced technology and standards, this solution will ensure greater accountability from participants in the healthcare supply chain and accelerate the ability to trace drugs at every point.