Knowledge centre
Guides to checking whether your medicine is genuine
Practical, plain-language guides written from official regulatory guidance. 23 guides across 5 topics.
How to Check if a Medicine Is Original or Fake in Pakistan (2026)
The complete 2026 method: physical checks, the batch number, the 2D barcode, DRAP's registry and official alerts, in the order pharmacists use them.
9 min read · Updated 11 November 2026
Spotting fakes
Spotting fakesHow to Identify Fake Medicine: A Complete Visual Checklist
A step-by-step inspection routine for packaging, print quality, seals and the tablets themselves — the same checks pharmacists use.
8 min read
Spotting fakesSubstandard vs Falsified Medicines: What's the Difference?
Understanding the WHO categories used in safety alerts, and what each means for patients.
5 min read
Spotting fakesHow to Spot Fake Injections, Vaccines and Insulin
Injectables are among the most frequently falsified medicines in Pakistan. Learn the vial, ampoule and cold-chain checks that matter.
6 min read
Spotting fakesFake Antibiotics in Pakistan: Augmentin, Velosef, Cefixime and How to Check
Why antibiotics are a top counterfeit target, which 2026 batches DRAP flagged, and the checks that matter before you start a course.
6 min read
Spotting fakesCounterfeit Cancer Medicines in Pakistan: Enhertu, Jakavi and Staying Safe
High-priced oncology drugs are prime counterfeit targets. Learn the 2026 alerts and the supply-chain checks patients and families should insist on.
5 min read
Spotting fakesFake Eye Drops and Nasal Sprays: Glantrim, Nasomet and What to Check
Drops and sprays were among 2026's falsified products. Learn the seal, labelling and after-opening rules that keep them safe.
4 min read
Using codes
Using codesUnderstanding 2D DataMatrix & QR Codes on Medicine Packs
How serialization works, what the GS1 fields inside the code mean, and how to verify a pack officially.
6 min read
Using codesHow to Check a Medicine Barcode in Pakistan: 1D vs 2D Codes Explained
What the barcode on your medicine can and cannot prove, how to scan the new 2D codes, and how to spot a copied or mismatched code.
6 min read
Using codesMehfooz Dawa & DRAP Track-and-Trace: How Official Verification Works
What DRAP's track-and-trace system (Mehfooz Dawa) does, how to use it, its limits today, and how DrugTrace.pk complements it.
5 min read
Buying safely
Buying safelyBuying Medicine Safely Online and at Pharmacies
How to choose a trustworthy pharmacy, spot risky online sellers, and protect yourself when ordering medicines.
6 min read
Buying safelyHow to Check if Supplements and Vitamins Are Original in Pakistan
Fake protein powders, vitamins and imported supplements are common. Here's how to verify the seller, the seal, the codes and the registration.
5 min read
Buying safelyFor Pharmacists: Screening Incoming Stock for Fake Medicines
A practical receiving-desk routine for pharmacies and hospitals in Pakistan: supplier checks, batch screening, serialisation and quarantine.
6 min read
Taking action
Taking actionHow to Report a Fake or Substandard Medicine in Pakistan
Exactly who to contact, what evidence to keep, and what happens after you report to DRAP.
4 min read
Taking actionUnderstanding DRAP Recalls and Rapid Alerts
How to read an official alert, what recall classes mean, and what to do if your batch is listed.
5 min read
Taking actionFake & Substandard Medicine Alerts in Pakistan: 2026 Roundup
A plain-language roundup of notable DRAP rapid alerts published in 2026: what was found, which batches, and what to do if you have them.
6 min read
Taking actionTook a Fake or Expired Medicine? What to Do Now
Calm, step-by-step guidance on symptoms to watch, when to see a doctor, how to replace your treatment and how to report the product.
6 min read
Taking actionFake Flu Vaccines in Pakistan (2026): Influvac Tetra & Vaxigrip Tetra Alerts
DRAP flagged falsified influenza vaccine batches in October 2026. Here's which batches, how to check yours and how to get vaccinated safely.
4 min read
Basics
BasicsReading Batch Numbers, Expiry and Registration Codes
What B.No, Mfg, Exp, Reg. No. and M.R.P. mean, where to find them, and how to read every date format.
5 min read
BasicsStoring Medicines Safely at Home in Pakistan's Climate
Heat and humidity can ruin genuine medicines. Here's how to store them so they stay effective.
4 min read
BasicsHow to Check a Medicine's DRAP Registration Number Online
Find the Reg. No. on your pack, search DRAP's official Registered Drugs Index, and understand what a match does and doesn't prove.
4 min read
BasicsWhat Does 'Spurious Medicine' Mean? DRAP Terms Explained
Spurious, falsified, counterfeit, substandard, adulterated, misbranded: plain-English definitions of the words used in Pakistani drug alerts.
4 min read
BasicsIs Expired Medicine Safe to Take? What Pakistani Patients Should Know
Which expired medicines are risky, which just lose strength, and how heat and humidity in Pakistan change the answer.
4 min read
Frequently asked questions
Which guide should I read first?
Start with the pillar guide, how to check medicine original or fake, then how to identify fake medicine.
Are the guides based on official sources?
Yes. Each guide cites DRAP, WHO or openFDA sources and is reviewed under our editorial policy. Latest batches are on the DRAP alerts list.
Is there a guide in Urdu?
Our dawa check page explains medicine checking in Roman Urdu with English, including Mehfooz Dawa.
Topic hub
Drug Trace & Medicine Verification
How to check whether any medicine in Pakistan is original or fake.
- Check medicine original or fake (this page)
- Verify a medicine online
- Check batch number online
- Original medicine check apps
- Dawa check (Roman Urdu)
- How to identify fake medicine
- How drug trace checks work
- Free medicine check tools
Related topics