How to Check If a Herbal or Unani Product Is DRAP-Enlisted (Video)

Transcript

Quick Pack Check

Before you hand over cash, give that box a quick glance. A few seconds can tell you more than a long sales pitch.

At a Glance

DRAP stands for Pakistan’s Drug Regulatory Authority, and it also watches over alternative medicines like Unani. An enlisted product is on a separate list, not the stricter registered one. What you need to spot are the enlistment number, maker’s name and address, batch code, and the dates.

What Enlistment Means

Conventional medicines go through a full registration with DRAP, which demands safety and efficacy data. Herbal and Unani items follow a lighter route called enlistment. The maker applies, the site gets a licence, the product lands on a list and receives a number that must appear on the pack. Enlistment shows the product is officially recognised and that someone can be held accountable, but it doesn’t prove it works.

Finding the Enlistment Number

The format of the number changes over time, so don’t look for a strict template. In practice you’ll see the words ‘Enlistment No.’ followed by digits, usually close to the manufacturer details or the barcode on the back or side. Some packs also show a separate manufacturing licence number for the factory. If you only see a ‘Reg. No.’ from another body, a trademark, or nothing at all, the product isn’t showing enlistment.

Two-Minute Pack Check

Spend the first twenty seconds hunting for the enlistment number. If it’s missing, walk away. Next, look at the maker, you should see a full company name and a postal address, not just ‘Made in Pakistan’. Then, scan the ingredient list; every component should be named, ideally with the amount per dose. Finally, locate the batch number and the manufacturing and expiry dates, often stamped on the side.

Traditional View

Old Unani pharmacies were transparent, the hakeem’s name was on every jar and the formula was written for anyone to read. Enlistment is the modern echo of that practice. When a maker hides the formula, the address, or the name, it breaks both tradition and regulation. Long-standing houses like Hamdard and Qarshi list their ingredients and carry their numbers, and that’s worth noting.

Red Flags to Watch

The biggest warning sign is a missing ingredient list. Products promising weight loss, stamina or joint relief without listing what’s inside often hide undeclared drugs. No manufacturer address is another red flag, a phone number or brand name isn’t enough to hold anyone accountable. Be wary of miracle claims that sound too good to be true.

Enlistment ≠ Proven

Enlistment only tells you the maker is on DRAP’s list and can be held to account. It’s a paperwork check, not a clinical test. An enlisted majoon might still be a sweet paste, and an enlisted tonic could be mostly sugar. The number gets you to the honest end of the shelf; the ingredient list and your expectations do the rest.

Keep the Box

When you buy a herbal product, tear off or photograph the panel that shows the enlistment number, batch code and maker’s address before you toss the packaging. If you have a reaction, a doctor asks what you’re taking, or DRAP issues a recall, you’ll have the three pieces that make a complaint or diagnosis possible. It takes ten seconds, and almost nobody does it.

Worth Knowing First

An enlistment number doesn’t make a product safe for you personally. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should assume traditional preparations are untested unless a doctor says otherwise. Children should only use what the pack directs for their age. Anyone on blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid, heart or clotting medication should tell their doctor about every herbal product before starting, and never stop prescribed medicines on a seller’s advice. If you feel unwell, stop it, keep the pack, and see a doctor.

Stay Informed

For the full guide, visit thecareonline.com. Remember, this isn’t medical advice.