Uncertainties of Turkey's new drug tracking system creating problems for industry and patients, says AiFD

The Drug Tracking System (İTS), introduced to Turkey's pharmaceutical sector as of January 1, 2010, cannot be effectively implemented by the parties due to the uncertainties with the system. The situation puts manufacturers in a tight corner while causing difficulties in the access of patients to medicines, claims the Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies, the AiFD.

The 2-D barcode practice, a core component of the İTS introduced by the Ministry of Health, started causing serious difficulties for the sector. Access problems of patients to medicines may be expected, resulting from the inability of the parties concerned to implement the system.

A statement issued by the AİFD warned that 'The problems encountered when implementing the system gave rise to a risk of problems in the access of patients to medicines, besides additional losses in time and labor', and called for 'a quick resolution to the problems, and effective implementation of the system.'

"All parties should work toward making the system run"