Supplements, herbal and health products: how to check them in Pakistan
Vitamins, supplements, herbal and homeopathic products in Pakistan are regulated by DRAP as alternative medicines and health products. They carry a DRAP enlistment number rather than a drug registration number, and most will not have the Mehfooz Dawa square code, so you check them by their label, seller and claims.
Drug or health product: why it matters
| Registered drug | Enlisted health product | |
|---|---|---|
| Examples | Antibiotics, painkillers, blood-pressure tablets, injections | Multivitamins, herbal syrups, homeopathic remedies, nutritional supplements |
| Number on the pack | DRAP Reg. No. | DRAP enlistment number |
| 2D barcode from 9 Oct 2026 | Required on secondary packs | Not covered by that deadline |
| Can claim to treat disease? | Within its approved uses | Claims are restricted; "cures" are a warning sign |
| Where checked | Scan, registration search, recalls | Label, enlistment number, seller, recalls |
DRAP's website has a section on alternative medicine product categories, and its rapid alerts sometimes name health products that were adulterated, misbranded or unregistered.
How to check a supplement or herbal product
- Look for the enlistment numberA DRAP enlistment number should be printed. An imported product should also name its Pakistani importer.
- Read batch, manufacturing and expiry datesAll should be printed clearly and match on the outer pack and the bottle.
- Check the manufacturer's addressA real company with a full address, not just a website or phone number.
- Inspect seal and printIntact seal, clean printing, no spelling mistakes.
- Search the name in recall alertsUse our recall search; some alerts cover health products.
- Read the claimsSee the red flags below.
Red-flag claims
- "Cures diabetes / blood pressure / cancer" or "no need for your medicine".
- "100% herbal, no side effects" on a product that acts like a strong drug.
- "Instant results" for weight loss, muscle gain, fertility or sexual performance.
- "Imported, original USA/UK stock" with no Pakistani enlistment or importer.
- "Doctor recommended" with no doctor named.
Products promising dramatic effects in these areas are a known route for hidden prescription drugs and unregistered imports. In October 2025 DRAP issued a rapid alert about a falsified and unregistered aphrodisiac product.
Online and social media sellers
Many supplements are sold through Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp. These sellers are hard to trace and often sell unregistered stock. Prefer licensed pharmacies and well-known retailers that give an invoice. Our guide on buying medicine online safely applies to supplements too.
Supplements and your medicines
"Natural" does not mean harmless. Some herbal products interact with medicines such as blood thinners, diabetes medicines and antidepressants, and some supplements affect blood pressure or blood sugar. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every supplement you take, and never stop a prescribed medicine because a supplement claims to replace it.
Children, pregnancy and older people
Give supplements to children only as advised by a doctor, and use children's products with the correct measuring device. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, check every supplement with your doctor; some herbs are not considered safe. Older people taking several medicines should review supplements with their pharmacist.
Storing supplements
Heat and humidity damage supplements just as they damage medicines. Keep them in a cool, dry place, cap tight, with the drying sachet left in. Discard tablets that have changed colour, softened or stuck together. See storing medicine in hot weather.
If something seems wrong
Stop using the product, keep the pack and receipt, and report it through DRAP's complaint form, choosing unregistered products or quality defects. If you had a reaction, also report the side effect.
Mukhtasar
Vitamins, herbal aur homeopathic products DRAP ke paas "enlist" hote hain, is liye un par registration ki jagah enlistment number hota hai aur aksar chakor code nahin hota. Enlistment number, batch, expiry, company ka pata aur seal dekhein. "Har bimari ka ilaj" jaise daway karne wali cheezon se bachein aur apni dawa doctor se pooche baghair band na karein.
A worked example: a weight-loss product online
Sana sees an Instagram advert for "imported herbal slimming capsules, 100% natural, results in 7 days". The page has no address, only a WhatsApp number, and the product photos do not show any enlistment or registration number. The price is low and payment is by advance transfer. Every one of those is a red flag. Products like this have been found worldwide to contain hidden prescription drugs, and in Pakistan such products are often unregistered. She asks her pharmacist instead, who explains what is actually available and safe for her.
Common supplement types and what to check
| Type | Typical claims | Extra caution |
|---|---|---|
| Multivitamins and minerals | Energy, immunity | Check dose and expiry; more is not better |
| Calcium and vitamin D | Bones | Can interact with some medicines; ask your pharmacist |
| Herbal syrups and tablets | Digestion, cough, "liver tonic" | Enlistment number, ingredient list, maker's address |
| Weight-loss and muscle products | Fast results | High risk of hidden drugs and unregistered imports |
| Sexual-performance products | "Instant" effect | High risk; DRAP has issued alerts on such products |
| Homeopathic remedies | Various | Do not replace prescribed treatment for serious illness |
Questions people ask
Do supplements need DRAP approval in Pakistan?
Yes. Herbal, homeopathic, nutritional and similar health products are regulated by DRAP as alternative medicines and health products. Instead of a drug registration number they carry an enlistment number.
What is a DRAP enlistment number?
It is the number DRAP gives an alternative medicine or health product, such as a herbal or nutritional product, when it is enlisted. It plays the role a registration number plays for a drug.
Do supplements have the Mehfooz Dawa 2D barcode?
The 9 October 2026 barcode deadline covers registered drug products. Enlisted health products are regulated under separate rules, so many supplements will not carry the square code. Check the enlistment number, batch, expiry and seal instead.
Are "imported" supplements sold online safe?
Not necessarily. Products sold online without a DRAP enlistment or registration number, or making medical claims, are a known risk. DRAP alerts have named falsified and unregistered products, including an aphrodisiac product in 2025.
Supplements ki asliyat kaise check karein?
Dabbay par DRAP enlistment number, batch number, expiry aur company ka pata dekhein. Seal sahi ho aur qeemat MRP ke qareeb ho. "Foran asar" ya "100% ilaj" jaise daway khatre ki nishani hain.
Are herbal medicines safe because they are natural?
Not automatically. Herbal products can have side effects, interact with medicines and, if poorly made or falsified, contain contaminants or hidden drugs. Choose enlisted products from known makers and tell your doctor what you take.
