The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has urged consumers to use its Mehfooz Dawa app to check whether medicines are genuine and verify their prices before buying them.
The app uses a 2D barcode system that allows smartphone users to scan medicine packaging and access information about the registered product.
The app aims to curb counterfeit medicines, overpricing and other illegal practices in the pharmaceutical market.
More Than 90,000 Medicines Registered With DRAP Ministry of National Health Services spokesperson Sajid Shah said around 800 pharmaceutical companies and more than 90,000 medicines are registered with DRAP.
Consumers can scan the barcode printed on medicine packs through their smartphones to verify product details and check the registered price.
Medicine Track and Trace System Now Operational The centralised Track and Trace System for medicines distributed across Pakistan became operational on October 9, 2026.
Besides helping consumers, the system allows regulators to monitor medicines as they move through the supply chain.
This could make it easier for authorities to identify and recall specific products if complaints, safety problems or quality issues emerge. How Mehfooz Dawa App Works Consumers need a smartphone to use the verification system.
They can scan the 2D barcode on a medicine pack through the Mehfooz Dawa app. The system then displays details about the product and its price.
This gives buyers a way to check whether the medicine matches DRAP's registered information and whether the price being charged is correct.
Barcode System Faced Years of Delays Pakistan first proposed introducing the medicine barcode system in 2015. The federal cabinet approved the initiative in 2017, but administrative delays prevented its full implementation for several years.
Health Minister Mustafa Kamal later took notice of the prolonged delay and directed authorities to introduce the system.
DRAP had subsequently set October 1, 2026, as a cut-off date for launching the barcode mechanism as part of efforts to tackle counterfeit and expired medicines as well as black marketing.
DRAP Steps Up Action Against Fake Medicines The digital verification system comes as DRAP continues to issue alerts over counterfeit, substandard, adulterated and unregistered medicines.
In a November 5 alert, the regulator advised consumers to purchase therapeutic products only from authorised or licensed outlets and carefully check their authenticity and condition.
The Ministry of National Health Services said the government remains committed to improving access to safe, effective and quality medicines across the country.
From a broader technological perspective, this development highlights the accelerated pace of digital innovation and architectural evolution across both local and international tech ecosystems.
As advanced digital platforms, smart hardware, and intelligent software interfaces become increasingly woven into personal and enterprise workflows, questions of system security, algorithmic transparency, and cross-platform compatibility have assumed center stage.
Industry analysts note that contemporary software and hardware design demands robust engineering pipelines capable of adapting to stringent regulatory requirements and high user expectations.
Within Pakistan's expanding technology landscape, domestic developers, IT professionals, and digital consumers are closely monitoring how next-generation innovations influence everyday usability and digital productivity.
The Ministry of Information Technology alongside private software trade federations continues to emphasize the adoption of international data protection standards, robust cyber defense postures, and reliable consumer privacy practices.
By prioritizing structured engineering, continuous security audits, and user-centric designs, tech innovators are establishing sustainable foundations for long-term digital growth.
Industry observers and enterprise specialists advise consumers and technology professionals to stay informed through certified developer documentation, authentic firmware releases, and official security advisories.
Technology users are encouraged to maintain active security hygiene, perform regular software upgrades through accredited distribution channels, and follow verified product updates to maximize performance and security.