01
Spurious (counterfeit)
Fake products imitating a real brand. The most serious: content is unknown.
Recalls explained
Medicine recalls in Pakistan: how they work and what to do
A recall removes a medicine batch from pharmacies and homes because it may be unsafe, ineffective or wrongly labelled. Knowing how recalls work helps you act quickly and calmly when one affects your family.
Table of contents9 sections
Quick answer
In Pakistan, medicine recalls are ordered by DRAP or initiated by the manufacturer when a batch is found substandard, spurious, contaminated or mislabelled. To check, enter the product and batch number in our batch alert check or browse the DRAP alerts list. If your batch is recalled, stop using it (unless a doctor advises otherwise), keep the pack, and return it to the pharmacy.
- Recall classes (by risk)
- 3
- 2026 batches in our list
- 18
- Recalls target batches
- Batch
- To check yours
- Seconds
Why medicines get recalled
Not every recall means a medicine is fake
Recalls cover everything from counterfeit products to a genuine batch with a printing error. Knowing the reason tells you how worried to be. See also spurious vs substandard.
02
Substandard
Genuine manufacturer, but the batch failed tests for strength, purity or dissolution.
03
Contamination
Microbial, particulate or chemical contamination, especially serious for injections, eye drops and syrups.
04
Labelling errors
Wrong strength, missing warnings or wrong expiry printed. The medicine may be fine but misuse is a risk.
05
Packaging defects
Faulty seals, leaking containers or broken child-resistant closures.
06
Stability failures
The batch degrades faster than expected before its expiry date.
Step by step
What to do if your medicine is recalled
- 1
Confirm the batch
Recalls apply to specific batches. Check that the B.No on your pack exactly matches the recall. See reading batch numbers.
- 2
Don't stop critical medicines abruptly
For heart, epilepsy, diabetes, transplant or similar medicines, call your doctor first. They can switch you to an unaffected batch safely.
- 3
Return it to the pharmacy
Take the pack and receipt back. Licensed pharmacies must quarantine recalled stock and can usually replace it with a safe batch.
- 4
Watch for symptoms
If you've taken a spurious or contaminated batch, watch for side effects and see a doctor. Our guide explains what to watch for.
Recall classes: how serious is it?
Regulators worldwide, including DRAP, classify recalls by risk. The class determines how far down the supply chain a recall must reach: to distributors only, to pharmacies, or all the way to patients.
- Class I: reasonable chance of serious harm or death (e.g. spurious, contaminated injections). Recall to patient level.
- Class II: may cause temporary or reversible harm (e.g. substandard potency).
- Class III: unlikely to cause harm (e.g. minor labelling issues).
How a recall reaches you
DRAP publishes recall and rapid alert notices on its website and notifies manufacturers, distributors and provincial health departments. Provincial drug inspectors then check that pharmacies have removed the stock. News outlets often report the most serious alerts.
The weak link is the medicine already in people's homes. That's why checking batches yourself matters, especially for medicines you buy in bulk or keep for months. Our alerts list gathers 2026 notices in one searchable table.
International recalls and imported medicines
Imported brands may be recalled abroad before or without a Pakistani notice. Our originality reference searches US FDA enforcement reports (via openFDA) by product and lot, which can flag international recalls of imported products.
A recall elsewhere does not automatically mean Pakistani stock is affected, since batches differ by market, but it's a good reason to ask your pharmacist.
Recall vs rapid alert vs spurious notice
DRAP uses several notice types. Here's how they differ for patients.
| Notice | Meaning | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Product recall | Batch withdrawn from the market | Stop (after medical advice), return to pharmacy |
| Rapid alert: spurious | Counterfeit product found in circulation | Stop, keep pack, report |
| Rapid alert: substandard | Genuine product failed quality tests | Stop, return, ask for replacement |
| Safety communication | New risk information on a medicine | Talk to your doctor; don't stop on your own |
Important
Never stop a life-critical medicine without advice
Stopping insulin, anti-epileptics, heart or transplant medicines suddenly can be more dangerous than one recalled batch. Call your doctor or pharmacist the same day; they can usually swap you to a safe batch immediately.
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers about medicine recall Pakistan.
How do I know if my medicine is recalled in Pakistan?
Enter the product and batch in our batch alert check, browse the alerts list, or check DRAP's recall notices.
Who issues medicine recalls in Pakistan?
DRAP orders recalls; manufacturers can also initiate voluntary recalls. Provincial drug inspectors enforce removal from pharmacies.
Will I get a refund for a recalled medicine?
Licensed pharmacies usually replace or refund recalled stock, especially with a receipt. Policies vary.
Are all batches of a recalled product unsafe?
No. Recalls target specific batch numbers. Other batches of the same brand are normally unaffected.
Should I throw recalled medicine in the bin?
No. Return it to the pharmacy. Medicines shouldn't go in household waste, and spurious stock is evidence.
Sources & references
- DRAP product recall and rapid alerts
- DRAP: Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (official site)
- WHO: Substandard and falsified medical products (fact sheet)
Updated 11 November 2026. DrugTrace.pk is independent and not affiliated with DRAP.
Topic hub
DRAP Alerts & Recalls
Every 2026 fake and recalled batch, and what to do if you have one.
- DRAP drug alerts list ★
- Fake medicine list 2026
- Understanding DRAP alerts
- Medicine recalls in Pakistan (this page)
- Most counterfeited medicines
- Fake antibiotics
- Fake flu vaccines 2026
- Counterfeit cancer medicines
- Fake eye drops & nasal sprays
Related topics
Related guides
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
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
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
More verification resources
Drug Track and Trace Portal →drugtrace.dra.gov.pk →Check Batch Number Online →Medicine QR Code Scanner →Original Medicine Check App →DRAP Helpline Number →GTIN Number Check →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 →