By Eamonn Ryan
This is the second of a two-part series on leveraging Track & Trace for patient safety and cold chain efficiency.
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Recent technological innovations have further empowered African healthcare systems. A collaboration between GS1 and Google now allows Android users to scan GS1 data matrix barcodes on medicine packaging directly with their phones. Patients can access information such as product details, usage instructions and patient leaflets without specialised applications. This development demonstrates how digital tools can enhance transparency, patient engagement and the efficiency of existing traceability systems.
Countries are adopting structured approaches to implement traceability standards. South Africa’s SAPRA has introduced phased guidelines:
- Phase One (2025–2029): Batch-level traceability, including GTINs, batch numbers and expiry dates.
- Phase Two (2027–2031): Full serialisation at item-level, with unique serial numbers on primary, secondary and tertiary packaging, enabling full tracking of medicines across distribution networks.
Such phased implementation allows regulators, manufacturers and healthcare providers to adapt gradually, while ensuring that traceability infrastructure aligns with global standards.
A consistent theme throughout the podcast was that collaboration is essential. Track and trace systems cannot operate in silos; they require alignment across regulators, manufacturers, distributors, hospitals and logistics providers. Country experiences in Nigeria, Zambia and South Africa demonstrate that stakeholder engagement, training and standardised processes are critical to successful adoption.
Moreover, the podcast – Building Safer Healthcare Systems in Africa: Enabling Track & Trace Through Collaboration, highlighted how collaboration, digital innovation and adoption of GS1 standards are transforming the way African countries manage medicines, vaccines and medical devices – addressed practical concerns, such as implementation costs and the risk of counterfeiters misusing barcodes. While initial investments may be necessary for local manufacturers, most imported products already comply with GS1 standards, minimising additional costs. Experts emphasised that a barcode alone is insufficient; its value comes from linking it to a centralised database, real-time updates and co-ordinated actions among all participants in the supply chain.
The podcast underscored that Africa is on an evolving path in healthcare traceability. GS1 standards, combined with collaboration, digital innovation and phased regulatory approaches, are creating safer, more efficient supply chains. As Wilson Karu and the panellists emphasised, this is a global movement with local relevance. By continuing to engage stakeholders, adopt international standards, and embrace innovation, African healthcare systems are building resilience against falsified medicines and ensuring that patients receive safe, reliable care.