Even though the union commerce ministry has already implemented the first phase of the controversial barcoding on export consignment of pharmaceuticals and drugs for tracing and tracking purposes from October 1 , the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) will once again take up the matter with the commerce ministry to make some amendments in its implementation.

Sources said that the DoP officials have asked the industry to submit a detailed memorandum to the department listing the desired changes that have to be made in the union commerce ministry's notification No: Public Notice No. 21 (RE-2011)/2009-2014 New Delhi, dated the 10th January, 2011 under which barcoding was made mandatory for pharma exports from July 1 this year which was later changed.

According to the changed DGFT notification, barcoding was enforced in the country in phased manner from October 1 this year. The trace and track technology will be made compulsory for tertiary level packaging with effect from October 1, 2011 and that on secondary level packaging will be made compulsory from January 1, 2012 and the new system will be made mandatory on primary level packaging from July 1, 2012.

Earlier, the DoP had backed the demand of the industry to postpone the deadline and relax the norms of proposed barcoding system. It had also held several meetings with the commerce ministry to chalk out a formula acceptable to all the stakeholders. The DoP's efforts did not go waste as the commerce ministry announced the implementation of barcoding in three phases, providing the much needed elbow room to the industry as it is mainly concerned about the primary level packaging which will be implemented only from July 1, 2012.

Earlier the industry, especially the small and medium scale, has been demanding to repeal the commerce ministry's notification implementing the barcoding.

But, now that the commerce ministry has already made barcoding mandatory for tertiary level packaging, the industry is making moves for some relaxation by amending the notification.