How to spot fake or unregistered medicines in Pakistan
Last reviewed 12 October 2026
Short answer: You cannot tell for certain that a medicine is genuine just by looking at it. But you can lower the risk a lot by buying from a licensed pharmacy, checking the pack carefully, confirming the product's registration on the DRAP website, and being cautious about prices that look too good to be true.
What "fake" and "unregistered" mean
- Unregistered. The product is sold without being registered with the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP). It may not have passed the checks required before sale.
- Counterfeit or fake. The product is deliberately made to look like a genuine brand. It may contain the wrong amount of the active ingredient, a different ingredient, or none at all.
- Expired or badly stored. The product may be genuine, but it is past its expiry date or has been damaged by heat or moisture, so it may not work properly.
All three can be dangerous, because the medicine may fail to treat your illness or may harm you.
Step 1: Buy from a licensed pharmacy
The first and most important protection is where you buy. Use a pharmacy that is open, has a visible licence and keeps medicines in clean, cool conditions. Be careful with street sellers, market stalls, unknown online sellers and social media offers. A good pharmacist will tell you where the medicine came from and will answer questions about it.
Step 2: Check the pack
Look for the signs described in our guide on how to read a medicine label. In particular, check that:
- the pack is sealed, clean and not damaged or re-wrapped;
- the printing is sharp, with no spelling mistakes, and the colours match other packs of the same brand;
- the batch number, manufacturing date, expiry date and registration number are clearly printed;
- the printed retail price has not been scratched out, covered or changed;
- the tablets, capsules or liquid look normal, without damage, damp, strange colour or smell.
Step 3: Verify the registration
Search for the product on the DRAP PharmaPrice Index. It lists registered products with their registration numbers, manufacturers, pack sizes and prices. If you cannot find the product, or the details on the pack do not match what DRAP lists, ask your pharmacist about it before you use the medicine.
Remember that a listing on the website tells you the product is registered. It does not prove that the specific pack in your hand is genuine. That is why the other steps matter too.
Step 4: Be careful with the price
A price far below what other pharmacies charge for the same product and pack size is a warning sign. A price above the printed maximum is also a problem. Compare the exact same medicine, using the price per tablet, and see how DRAP sets medicine prices to understand what the printed price means.
Step 5: Keep the evidence
Ask for a receipt and keep the pack, leaflet and any remaining medicine. If something goes wrong, this information helps the pharmacist, your doctor and the authorities find out what happened.
What to do if you suspect a problem
- Stop using the medicine. Do not finish the pack to see if it works.
- Get medical help if you feel unwell. Take the pack with you and tell your doctor or pharmacist what you took.
- Report it. You can contact the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan through dra.gov.pk, or your provincial health department or drug control authority.
- Do not resell or give it to others.
Frequently asked questions
Can I tell a fake medicine just by looking at it?
Not always. Some fakes look almost identical to the real product. Checking the pack, buying from a licensed pharmacy and verifying the registration together reduce the risk, but none of them is a guarantee.
Is a cheap medicine always fake?
No. Many genuine medicines are inexpensive, and a different brand of the same ingredient can cost less. A price that is far below every other shop for the same product is the warning sign.
Is it safe to buy medicines online?
Only from a seller you can identify and trust, such as the online service of a licensed pharmacy. Avoid sellers who offer prescription-only medicines without a prescription or who cannot show who they are.
Sources
- DRAP, PharmaPrice Index.
- DRAP, dra.gov.pk.
- Ministry of Health, S.R.O. 100(I)/2002, on printing retail prices on labels.