How to spot genuine medicines and buy safely
Fake and substandard medicines are a real risk. These quick checks help you make sure what you buy is the real thing.
Medisri Team12 October 2026 4 min read
Key takeaways
- Buy only from licensed pharmacies and always ask for a bill.
- Check the packaging, seal, batch number, expiry date and MRP.
- Many brands now print a QR code on the pack that you can scan to verify it.
A medicine only helps if it's genuine and stored properly. A few checks at the counter, or when your order arrives, go a long way.
Check the pack
- The seal should be intact and the packaging undamaged.
- Look for the batch number, manufacturing date, expiry date and MRP.
- Printing should be sharp, with no spelling mistakes or smudged text.
- The tablets or capsules should match what you've had before, if it's a repeat medicine.
Scan the QR code
Many medicine brands in India now carry a QR code on the pack. Scanning it can show details such as the product name, manufacturer and batch, which helps you confirm the pack is genuine.
Buy from the right place
- Use licensed pharmacies, and ask for a proper bill every time.
- Be wary of prices that seem far too low.
- If something looks wrong, don't take it. Show it to the pharmacist or your doctor.
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