{
  "id": 19138337,
  "title": "Drap urges public to verify authenticity and prices of medicines via new app",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/drap-urges-public-to-verify-authenticity-and-prices-of-medicines-via-19138337",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-09T10:19:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn - Pakistan",
    "slug": "dawn-pakistan",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2043272/drap-urges-public-to-verify-authenticity-and-prices-of-medicines-via-new-app"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) has urged citizens to utilize its Mehfooz Dawa application for verifying the authenticity and prices of medicines, as part of its initiatives to prevent the distribution of counterfeit drugs. Approximately 800 pharmaceutical firms and over 90,000 medicines are registered with Drap, according to Sajid Shah, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Health Services. Shah explained that Drap implemented a 2D barcode system, enabling consumers to scan medicine packages and confirm they are obtaining secure, high-quality, and effective products. The centralized track-and-trace system for pharmaceutical products distributed throughout Pakistan began functioning on October 9, Shah added. Additionally, the spokesperson mentioned that the system will facilitate authorities in monitoring medicine supply chains and facilitate product recalls in the event of consumer complaints or quality concerns. Individuals possessing smartphones will also be able to scan barcodes to access product details and prices. The concept of introducing a barcode system was initially suggested in 2015 and approved by the federal cabinet in 2017; however, bureaucratic delays hindered its implementation. Prior to this, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, recognizing the delays, announced that the system would be launched as soon as feasible. This year, Drap set October 1 as the deadline for launching the barcode system to curb the sale of counterfeit and expired medicines and eliminate black marketing. Shah affirmed that the Ministry of National Health Services is committed to ensuring citizens have access to high-quality and effective therapeutic products.",
  "summary": "ISLAMABAD: The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) has urged consumers to use its Mehfooz Dawa application to verify the authenticity and prices of medicines as part of its efforts to curb the sale of counterfeit drugs. About 800 pharmaceutical companies and more than 90,000 medicines were registered with Drap, Sajid Shah, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Health Services, told…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}