Operational Challenges Beginner

Post-Implementation of track and trace (Operational Reality)

When analyzing manufacturers and distributors who have already implemented pharmaceutical track & trace, one reality stands out: The biggest challenges are operational bottlenecks created by the traceability setup itself.

Ahmed Dawood January 10, 2026 Updated Jan 14, 2026 26 views

Common issues I see on the ground

  • Manual steps injected into automated operations
  • High cost of serialization & reporting systems
  • Running two systems in parallel:
  • One for regulatory reporting (National Track & Trace platform)
  • Another for internal operations (ERP / WMS)

This fragmented setup usually goes unnoticed… until a real crisis happens:

  • A shipment stuck at customs
  • A regulatory investigation
  • Serialized stock on the floor that can’t be released or sold

At that point, the problem is not about reporting to the national hub it’s business continuity.

So, my advice to the countries and companies just starting Track & Trace

Success is not about “reporting to the authority platform” .

It’s about:

  • Early, structured integration planning
  • Choosing software that supports end-to-end operational workflows (without manual bottlenecks)
  • Ensuring Track & Trace becomes a native part of ERP/WMS, not an external reporting burden

If your traceability system creates bottlenecks, so, it’s a risk.