WHEN patients in Pakistan buy medicines, they assume that the labels match the contents. That assumption is wrong roughly half the time. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) testing confirms that 50 per cent of life-saving drug samples are counterfeit or substandard.

A survey funded by the World Health Organisation (WHO) placed the broader figure at 40-50pc. Pakistan ranks among the countries with the highest burden of fake medicines in the world.

In 2011-12, more than 200 patients had died at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) in Lahore after receiving conta-minated cardiovascular medication. That tragedy was the most prominent event indicative of a pattern that continues to date. A fake antibiotic does not kill the infection. A substandard blood pressure drug does not control blood pressure. The condition of the patient deteriorates, but the medicine is rarely blamed for it.

Recently, Drap issued an emergency alert for six counterfeit medicines across Punjab, including eye drops for glaucoma that may even cause blindness. Drap also requested the relevant government agency to block websites selling smuggled medicines online. There are an estimated 3,000 counterfeit medicine factories operating across Pakistan. Raids occur and fines are levied. Courts themselves have described those fines as equivalent to those issued against traffic violations.

Drap has launched digital verification tools and implemented 2D barcoding, which are meaningful steps against a problem of a different magnitude. What is required alongside them is a fundamental revision of criminal penalties, mandatory supply chain traceability and enforcement.

Maheen Zahra
Lahore

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2026