Drap urges public to verify authenticity and prices of medicines via new app

The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) has called upon citizens to utilize its Mehfooz Dawa application for confirming the genuineness and pricing of medications, as part of its initiatives to combat the distribution of counterfeit drugs. Speaking to Dawn, Sajid Shah, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Health Services, disclosed that the authority has registered approximately 800 pharmaceutical firms and over 90,000 medicines.

Shah elucidated that Drap has implemented a 2D barcode system, empowering consumers to scan medicine packages and guarantee the acquisition of secure, premium, and efficacious products. This centralized track-and-trace system for pharmaceuticals circulating throughout Pakistan commenced operations on October 9. Moreover, according to Shah, the system facilitates authorities in monitoring the pharmaceutical supply chains and simplifies the recall process in instances of consumer grievances or quality concerns.

Through the use of smartphones, individuals will also be able to scan barcodes to access product information and prices. The concept of introducing a barcode system was initially suggested in 2015 and received federal cabinet approval in 2017; however, bureaucratic impediments hindered its implementation. Earlier, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, recognizing the delay, declared that the system would be introduced as soon as feasible.

Earlier this year, Drap had designated October 1 as the deadline for launching the barcode system to curb the sale of counterfeit and expired medicines and eradicate black marketing. Shah affirmed that the Ministry of National Health Services is "dedicated" to ensuring that citizens possess access to high-quality and effective therapeutic products.