01
(01) GTIN
A 14-digit Global Trade Item Number identifying the exact product, strength and pack size. The last digit is a check digit our decoder validates.
Free in-browser scanner
Scan a medicine's QR code and see what it really says
The square code on a modern medicine carton is usually a GS1 DataMatrix, not a QR code, but most people call it one. Our free scanner reads it in your browser and shows the product code, serial, batch and expiry so you can compare them with the print.
Table of contents8 sections
Quick answer
To scan a medicine QR code in Pakistan, open DrugTrace.pk's 2D code decoder on your phone, allow the camera and point it at the square code on the carton. It decodes the GS1 fields (GTIN, serial, batch, expiry) instantly. If any decoded value differs from the printed text, the pack is suspect. Then verify the serial on drugtrace.dra.gov.pk.
- GTIN product code
- (01)
- Unique serial
- (21)
- Batch / lot
- (10)
- Expiry date
- (17)
What's inside the code
A medicine 2D code is a tiny, structured data record
Each piece of data is prefixed by a GS1 Application Identifier (AI) in brackets. Knowing them lets you read any pharmaceutical code. Our DataMatrix guide goes deeper.
02
(21) Serial number
Unique to this one pack. This is what DRAP's track and trace portal verifies.
03
(10) Batch / lot
The production run. Must match B.No printed on the carton and strip. Check it in our batch alert check.
04
(17) Expiry
Encoded as YYMMDD. Must match the printed Exp date. Use the expiry calculator for opened packs.
05
(11) Manufacture date
Optional on some codes. Should be before expiry and match any printed Mfg date.
06
Private by design
Decoding happens on your device. No image or code leaves your phone unless you choose to look up the batch.
Step by step
How to scan a medicine code with your phone
- 1
Open the scanner
Go to the 2D code decoder and tap Scan with camera. Allow camera access when asked.
- 2
Frame the code
Hold the phone 10–15 cm away in good light with the square code filling about a third of the screen. You can also upload a photo.
- 3
Compare decoded vs printed
Check the decoded batch, expiry and GTIN against the text printed next to the code. All must match exactly.
- 4
Verify officially
Run the batch through the alert check and verify the serial at drugtrace.dra.gov.pk.
Why a mismatch matters more than the scan itself
Any phone can read a DataMatrix; a counterfeiter can print one just as easily. What a fake often gets wrong is consistency: the code says one batch, the print says another; the expiry inside the code is a different month; the GTIN check digit doesn't add up.
That is why our decoder puts the decoded fields side by side and flags an invalid GTIN check digit. A real pack is produced by one integrated printing system; a fake is often assembled from parts.
QR code, barcode or DataMatrix?
Pharmaceutical packs can carry three kinds of code. The 1D linear barcode (lines) only identifies the product type and is the same on every pack. A QR code (with three large corner squares) is sometimes used for marketing links. The GS1 DataMatrix (a small square with an L-shaped border) is the regulated code that carries serial, batch and expiry.
Only the DataMatrix is used for track and trace. If a 'verification' QR code on a pack opens a website, check the address carefully: genuine official verification happens on .dra.gov.pk domains, never on a link the seller controls.
Reading your scan results
What each outcome means and what to do next.
| Scan result | What it means | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| All fields match the print | Code is consistent with the pack | Verify serial on DRAP portal |
| Batch or expiry differs | Code and print came from different sources | Do not use; report it |
| Invalid GTIN check digit | The code was likely made up | Do not use; report it |
| Will not scan | Damaged, curved or poor-quality print | Try better light or a photo; inspect the pack |
| No 2D code at all | Product may not be serialised yet | Use batch check and checklist |
Important
Scanning shows what a code says, not who printed it
Only DRAP's central repository knows whether a serial was issued by the real manufacturer. Use our scanner to catch inconsistencies, then confirm with the official track and trace portal.
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers about medicine QR code scanner Pakistan.
Can I scan a medicine QR code to check if it is original?
Scanning shows the data inside the code. To check originality, compare it with the printed pack and verify the serial on DRAP's portal at drugtrace.dra.gov.pk.
Which app scans medicine codes in Pakistan?
DRAP's Mehfooz Dawa app verifies serials officially. Our free browser decoder needs no install and shows every decoded field.
Why won't my phone camera read the medicine code?
Medicine DataMatrix codes are small. Use good light, hold the phone 10–15 cm away and keep the pack flat. Ordinary camera apps sometimes ignore GS1 codes; use a dedicated decoder. See also: Mehfooz Dawa app.
What is GS1 DataMatrix?
A 2D barcode standard used worldwide for medicine serialisation. It encodes GTIN, serial, batch and expiry using Application Identifiers. See our DataMatrix guide.
Is it safe to scan codes on medicine packs?
Scanning with our decoder happens on your device. Be cautious with QR codes that open websites; only trust official .dra.gov.pk addresses. See also: Mehfooz Dawa app.
Sources & references
- DRAP: Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (official site)
- DRAP drug track and trace verification portal
- DRAP product recall and rapid alerts
- GS1: Healthcare traceability and DataMatrix standards
- WHO: Substandard and falsified medical products (fact sheet)
Updated 11 November 2026. DrugTrace.pk is independent and not affiliated with DRAP.
Topic hub
Mehfooz Dawa & Track and Trace
DRAP's official serial verification: Mehfooz Dawa, the portal and 2D codes.
- Mehfooz Dawa app ★
- Mehfooz Dawa check
- Drug track and trace portal
- drugtrace.dra.gov.pk guide
- Mehfooz Dawa & DRAP verification
- Medicine QR code scanner (this page)
- GTIN number check
- 2D DataMatrix codes
- Check medicine barcode
- 2D code decoder tool
Related topics
Related guides
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.
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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.
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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.
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More verification resources
Drug Track and Trace Portal →drugtrace.dra.gov.pk →Check Batch Number Online →Original Medicine Check App →DRAP Helpline Number →GTIN Number Check →Medicine Recall Pakistan →Pharmacy License Check →Counterfeit Drugs in Pakistan →Medicine Storage Temperature →Drug Testing Laboratory Pakistan →How to Read a Medicine Label →Report Side Effects →Smuggled Medicines Pakistan →Mehfooz Dawa →Mehfooz Dawa Check →Dawa Check →