Medicine price terms explained
Last reviewed 23 October 2026
Short answer: This page explains, in plain language, the words and abbreviations you meet when you look up medicine prices in Pakistan, such as MRP, S.R.O., DRAP, registration number and pack size. Use it as a quick reference while you read our other guides.
Price terms
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| MRP (maximum retail price) | The highest price at which a medicine may be sold to the public. It is printed on the pack. A shop may charge less but should not charge more. See how DRAP sets medicine prices. |
| Retail price | The price a customer pays at a pharmacy. It is the price printed on the pack. |
| Trade price | The price at which a company sells to distributors and pharmacies, before the retail margin is added. It is lower than the retail price. |
| Price per tablet | The pack price divided by the number of tablets. It is the fairest way to compare packs. See pack sizes explained. |
| Effective from date | The date a listed price came into force. A newer date means a newer price. |
| CPI (consumer price index) | A measure of inflation. DRAP has issued some price notifications that adjust drug prices in line with it. |
Official bodies and documents
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| DRAP | The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan. It registers medicines and publishes official price notifications and a price list. |
| S.R.O. | Statutory Regulatory Order. It is the form in which the government publishes an official notification, including notifications that fix or change medicine prices. Example: S.R.O. 207(I)/2023. |
| Notification | An official published announcement. A price notification lists the medicines, strengths, pack sizes and the prices set for them. |
| ECC | The Economic Coordination Committee of the federal cabinet. News reports have said it approved some price increases, which DRAP then notified. |
| Drugs Act, 1976 | The law under which maximum retail prices of medicines are fixed. |
| PharmaPrice Index | DRAP's online list of registered products, with their registration numbers, manufacturers, pack sizes and prices. |
Terms printed on the pack
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Brand name | The name a company gives its product. Many brands can contain the same ingredient. |
| Generic name | The name of the active ingredient, for example paracetamol. See brand vs generic medicines. |
| Active ingredient | The part of the medicine that has the medical effect. |
| Strength | How much active ingredient each tablet, capsule or measure contains, for example 500mg. |
| Dosage form | The form of the medicine, such as tablet, capsule, syrup, cream or injection. |
| Pack size | How many units are in a pack, for example 20 x 10's, which is 200 tablets. |
| Registration number | The number under which the product is registered with DRAP. You can search for it on the PharmaPrice Index. |
| Batch number | A code that identifies the production batch. It helps trace a product if there is a problem. |
| Manufacturing date and expiry date | When the batch was made, and the date after which the medicine should not be used. |
Our guide on how to read a medicine label shows where to find each of these on a real pack.
Terms about safety
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Registered medicine | A medicine that is registered with DRAP and can legally be sold. |
| Unregistered medicine | A medicine sold without being registered with DRAP. |
| Counterfeit (fake) medicine | A product deliberately made to look like a genuine brand, which may contain the wrong ingredient or amount. |
| Expired medicine | A medicine past its expiry date, which should not be used. |
Read our guide on spotting fake or unregistered medicines and on storing medicines safely for what to do.
Important: This glossary gives general explanations only. It is not medical or legal advice. For questions about your own medicines, ask your doctor or pharmacist, and check official details with DRAP. See our Disclaimer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between retail price and MRP?
The retail price is what you pay at the pharmacy. For medicines with a fixed maximum, the MRP is the highest that retail price may be. A shop can charge less than the MRP.
Where do I find the registration number on a pack?
It is printed on the label or carton, usually near the manufacturer's details. If you cannot find it, ask your pharmacist.
What does S.R.O. stand for?
It stands for Statutory Regulatory Order, which is how the government publishes official notifications, including medicine price notifications.
Sources
- DRAP, dra.gov.pk, for notifications and registered product information.
- DRAP, PharmaPrice Index.
- DRAP, S.R.O. 207(I)/2023, as an example of a price notification.
- DRAP, S.R.O. 595(I)/2023, as an example of an inflation-linked (CPI) notification.