The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP)—the national body that regulates therapeutic goods—has urged consumers across the country to verify the authenticity and prices of pharmaceutical products using its official DRAP medicine app, named Mehfooz Dawa.
Speaking on the initiative, Ministry of National Health Services spokesperson Sajid Shah said the authority has introduced a 2D barcode system that enables smartphone users to scan medicine packaging. This allows buyers to view product details, check maximum retail prices, and confirm whether a drug is genuine before making a purchase.
Track-and-trace system operational
around 800 pharmaceutical companies and over 90,000 registered medicines are logged within the authority's database. The centralised track-and-trace system for pharmaceutical distribution officially became operational across Pakistan on October 9, following a target cut-off date of October 1 set earlier this year.
According to the health ministry spokesperson, the new setup enables regulatory authorities to track the complete supply chain of pharmaceutical products. This mechanism makes it significantly easier to recall specific batches of drugs whenever quality defects or official complaints arise.
Long-standing project implemented
The plan to introduce barcode tracking for medicines was first proposed in 2015 and received federal cabinet approval in 2017. However, administrative delays postponed its practical rollout for years until Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal directed officials to expedite the launch to eliminate fake drugs, expired stock, and black marketing.
Officials stated that the health ministry remains committed to ensuring that citizens receive safe, high-quality, and effective medical products nationwide.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Hukoomat ne ek nayi mobile app Mehfooz Dawa shuroo ki hai jisse aap dawaiyon ki asli keemat aur unki authenticity check kar sakte hain. Dawai ke dabba par lage 2D barcode ko scan karke aap maloom kar sakte hain ke dawai asli hai ya naqli. Is se shahriyo ko naqli aur mehngi dawaiyon se bachne mein madad milegi.
