How to check medicine by batch number in Pakistan
Type the batch number into our DRAP recall search to see if it appears in any recall or spurious-drug alert. A batch number cannot prove a single pack is genuine, because thousands of boxes share it, but it is the fastest way to find out whether a batch has been withdrawn.
Find the batch number
Look for B. No., BN, Batch or Lot near the manufacturing and expiry dates. On packs with a Mehfooz Dawa code it is also printed beside the square code. Check that the number on the box matches the one on the strip or bottle inside.
What the batch number can tell you
- Recalls: DRAP names batches in its recall and rapid alerts. A matching batch for the same product means stop using it.
- Repackaging: a different batch on the strip and the box suggests tampering.
- Known fakes: alerts about spurious products often list the batch number printed on the fakes, such as batch 139N086 on falsified Novidat 500 mg tablets in June 2026.
What it cannot tell you
It cannot tell you that your box is genuine. A counterfeiter copying a popular brand will print a real-looking, often real, batch number. For that you need the serial number, which is checked when you scan the square code. When you scan, we also check the batch against the recall list automatically.
Batch matched an alert. Now what?
- Confirm it is the same productBatch numbers can repeat across different companies. Check the product name and manufacturer in the alert.
- Stop using itKeep the pack, the remaining medicine and the receipt.
- Return and reportReturn it to the pharmacy and report it. If you have taken it and feel unwell, see a doctor.
Questions people ask
Where is the batch number on medicine?
On the carton near the expiry date, labelled B. No., BN, Batch or Lot, and again on each blister strip or bottle label. It is usually embossed or laser printed.
Can a batch number tell me if medicine is original?
Not by itself. Every box in the batch shares the same number, and a counterfeiter can copy it. Use it to check for recalls; use the serial number in the square code to check authenticity.
What if the batch number on the strip does not match the box?
That is a strong warning sign that strips have been moved between boxes or repackaged. Do not use the medicine; return it and report it.
