How to check a medicine's expiry date (and read the code on the box)
The expiry date is printed on the box next to "EXP", and on packs with a Mehfooz Dawa code it is also stored inside the square code. Scan the code and the date is read for you, with a warning if it has passed or falls within the next three months.
Where to find it on the pack
On cartons, look at the end flaps or a side panel, near the batch number. On blister strips it is usually embossed or printed along one edge, sometimes repeated so it survives when the strip is cut. On bottles and tubes it is on the label or crimp. The date on the strip should match the one on the box.
Reading the formats
| Printed | Means |
|---|---|
| EXP 09/2028 or EXP SEP 2028 | Usable until 30 September 2028 |
| EXP 23/09/2028 | Usable until 23 September 2028 (day/month/year) |
| Inside the code: 17 280923 | GS1 field 17 is expiry in YYMMDD, so 23 September 2028 |
| Inside the code: 17 280900 | Day "00" means the end of the month, 30 September 2028 |
| MFG 10/2025 | Manufactured October 2025. Not an expiry date |
Expiry assumes proper storage
The date is only valid if the medicine has been kept as the label says, usually below 25 or 30 °C, away from light and moisture. Pakistani summers can push temperatures in cars, shops and kitchens far above that. Insulin and some vaccines need a fridge. A pack that has been heat-damaged can fail before its expiry date.
"Once opened" dates
Eye drops, some syrups and reconstituted antibiotic suspensions have a shorter life after opening, often 7 to 28 days, regardless of the printed expiry. Write the opening date on the bottle.
Questions people ask
Can I check medicine expiry date online?
Yes. Scan the square code on the box with our scanner: the expiry date is encoded inside it and is shown with the result, along with a note if it has passed or is close. You can also type the details from the pack.
Is it safe to take medicine one day after expiry?
Do not take expired medicine without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Some medicines lose strength, and a few, such as certain antibiotics, eye drops, insulin and liquid preparations, can become unsafe or ineffective. Return expired medicine to the pharmacy.
What does EXP 09/2028 mean?
When only a month and year are printed, the medicine can be used until the last day of that month, so EXP 09/2028 means up to 30 September 2028, provided it has been stored as the label says.
What is the difference between MFG and EXP?
MFG (or Mfd.) is the date the batch was manufactured. EXP is the date after which it should not be used. The gap between them is the shelf life, typically two to three years for tablets.
Have a pack in hand? Scan it now. It takes under a minute and needs no app.