The government of Pakistan has introduced a new mobile application that allows citizens to check the authenticity of medicines and verify their officially approved prices.
The application, called Mehfooz Dawa, aims to protect consumers from counterfeit, substandard and overpriced medicines by making medicine verification easier and more accessible.
Through the app, users can scan a two-dimensional barcode printed on medicine packaging using their smartphones. The system provides information about the medicine’s registration, authenticity and approved retail price.
The initiative is being implemented through the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to improve transparency and strengthen monitoring of the pharmaceutical industry.
According to officials, around 800 pharmaceutical companies and more than 90,000 medicines are registered with DRAP. The digital system will also help authorities track medicine supplies, identify problematic batches and take action when quality concerns are reported.
The initiative is expected to reduce the circulation of fake and expired medicines while helping patients avoid paying more than the officially approved prices.
The Track and Trace System became operational on October 9, 2026, following years of delays. The barcode system was initially proposed in 2015 and approved by the federal cabinet in 2017.
The launch of Mehfooz Dawa marks an important step towards digitalising Pakistan’s healthcare system and improving public access to reliable medicine information.
