01
Displayed licence
A drug sale licence from the provincial health department, displayed where customers can see it, with the licence number and validity.
Buy from the right place
How to check if a pharmacy in Pakistan is licensed
Where you buy a medicine matters as much as what's on the pack. Licensed pharmacies buy from authorised distributors, keep records and can be held accountable. Here's how to tell a legitimate pharmacy from a risky one.
Table of contents8 sections
Quick answer
In Pakistan, pharmacies and medical stores need a drug sale licence issued by the provincial health department, which should be displayed in the shop along with the name of the qualified person (pharmacist or qualified technician) in charge. To check, look for the displayed licence, ask who the qualified person is, and contact your district drug inspector or provincial health department if in doubt.
- Who issues licences
- Provincial
- Licence must be visible
- Displayed
- Person required in charge
- Qualified
- Always ask for one
- Receipt
Signs of a legitimate pharmacy
What a licensed pharmacy should look like
Licensing rules differ slightly by province, but good pharmacies share the same visible signs. Combine them with pack checks for the best protection.
02
Qualified person present
A registered pharmacist or qualified technician named on the licence should be responsible for the premises.
03
Proper storage
Clean shelves, no direct sunlight, and a working refrigerator for insulin and vaccines. See our storage guide.
04
Prescriptions respected
Prescription-only medicines (antibiotics, controlled drugs) shouldn't be sold freely without one.
05
Printed receipts
A receipt with the pharmacy's name and the batch, if possible. It's your evidence if a problem is found.
06
Sealed, full packs
Medicines sold in original cartons with leaflets, not loose tablets in plastic bags.
Step by step
How to check a pharmacy's licence
- 1
Look for the licence
Check the walls near the counter for a framed drug sale licence. Note the licence number, name and expiry.
- 2
Ask politely
Ask who the qualified person is and whether they're present. Legitimate pharmacies are happy to answer.
- 3
Confirm with the authority
If unsure, contact your district drug inspector or provincial health department with the licence details. Some provinces offer online licence records.
- 4
Report unlicensed sellers
Report medical stores without licences, or social-media sellers, to the provincial health department or DRAP.
Red flags at a medical store
Most counterfeit medicines reach patients through outlets that cut corners. These warning signs don't prove a pharmacy is selling fakes, but each one raises the risk.
- No licence on display, or an expired one.
- Prices far below every other pharmacy, especially for expensive brands.
- Antibiotics, injections or controlled drugs sold without a prescription.
- Loose tablets, cut strips or cartons without leaflets.
- Refuses to give a receipt or write the batch on it.
- Injections or insulin stored at room temperature.
Online pharmacies and delivery apps
Online pharmacies in Pakistan must also be linked to a licensed physical pharmacy. Before ordering, look for a physical address, a licence number and a named pharmacist on the website. Avoid sellers operating only through WhatsApp, Instagram or Facebook.
When the order arrives, check the pack immediately: batch against alerts, seals and print with the checklist, and any 2D code on DRAP's portal. Our online buying guide has more.
Licensed pharmacy vs informal seller
Why the source matters as much as the pack.
| Licensed pharmacy | Informal / unlicensed seller | |
|---|---|---|
| Supply source | Authorised distributors with invoices | Unknown; may include smuggled or fake stock |
| Accountability | Inspected; licence can be suspended | Little or none |
| Storage | Required standards, cold chain | Often uncontrolled |
| Recalls | Must quarantine recalled batches | Recalled stock may keep circulating |
| Your evidence | Receipt with pharmacy details | Often nothing |
Important
A licence lowers risk; it doesn't remove it
Fakes occasionally reach licensed pharmacies through compromised supply chains. Keep checking batches and packs wherever you buy, and use the 5-check method.
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers about pharmacy license check Pakistan.
Who issues pharmacy licences in Pakistan?
Drug sale licences for pharmacies and medical stores are issued by provincial health departments under provincial drug rules. See also: How to read a medicine label.
How can I verify a pharmacy licence?
Check the displayed licence, then contact your district drug inspector or provincial health department with its number if you need confirmation. See also: How to read a medicine label.
Is a medical store the same as a pharmacy?
Both sell medicines, but licence categories and qualified-person requirements differ by province. Both must be licensed. See also: How to read a medicine label.
Are online pharmacies legal in Pakistan?
Online sales should be linked to a licensed pharmacy. Avoid sellers with no address, licence or named pharmacist.
Where do I report an unlicensed medical store?
Report to your provincial health department or district drug inspector, or to DRAP on 0800-03727.
Sources & references
- DRAP: Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (official site)
- DRAP online complaints
- WHO: Substandard and falsified medical products (fact sheet)
Updated 11 November 2026. DrugTrace.pk is independent and not affiliated with DRAP.
Topic hub
Labels, Storage & Safe Buying
Read labels, store medicines correctly and buy from the right place.
- How to read a medicine label ★
- Batch number & expiry
- DRAP registration number check
- Medicine storage temperature
- Storing medicines at home
- Is expired medicine safe?
- Expiry date calculator
- Pharmacy licence check (this page)
- Buy medicine online safely
- Pharmacist stock screening
- Medicine safety tips
Related topics
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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 →Medicine Recall Pakistan →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 →