WHO Pharma Traceability Survey Highlights Technology as Main Challenge

The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) 2025 report, ‘Country Experiences on Implementation of Traceability for Medical Products’, highlights the uneven progress in global traceability efforts for medicines and vaccines. Drawing on survey responses from WHO member states, the report cites insufficient technological knowledge and capabilities as the biggest barriers to implementing traceability systems.

In particular, the states refer to limited capabilities at key points in the supply chain, as well as at ports of entry, distribution centres, and remote pharmacies. They also cite insufficient technical knowledge at government level to develop regulations.

Furthermore, some member states say there is confusion as to the most cost-effective traceability approach, coupled with a lack of understanding of the problems that traceability can address.

Only six member states participating in the survey said they have fully operational traceability systems, while several others are at the planning stage. Some countries have no immediate plans to adopt such systems, suggesting a gap in awareness or capacity.