DRAP brings probiotics, supplements, disinfectants and medicated soaps under drug law: SRO 1688

Probiotics, disinfectants, food supplements, nutritional products, specialised baby milk and medicated soaps, shampoos and cosmetics are now "therapeutic goods" under Pakistan's drug law. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) notified the change in S.R.O. 1688(I)/2026, dated 6 October 2026 and posted on its website on 13 October. The notification was issued on the recommendation of DRAP's Policy Board and is to be published in the Gazette of Pakistan.

What the DRAP notification covers

The SRO lists eight kinds of "health and OTC products" (over-the-counter products sold without a prescription):

1. Probiotics
2. Disinfectants
3. Nutritional products
4. Food supplements, when sold in pharmaceutical dosage forms (tablets, capsules, sachets, syrups and the like)
5. Specialised baby milk for medical conditions
6. Medicated cosmetics
7. Medicated soaps
8. Medicated shampoos

DRAP issued it using the power in clause (xxxvi) of section 2 of the DRAP Act, 2012, the clause that defines therapeutic goods.

What it means

Under the DRAP Act, therapeutic goods are the products the authority regulates. Notifying these eight categories as therapeutic goods brings them within the Act's scope. The one-page notification itself does not set out new registration steps, fees or deadlines for companies, and it does not mention prices.

For shoppers, the products affected are everyday purchases in pharmacies and general stores across Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and smaller towns: probiotic sachets and capsules, multivitamin and protein supplements in tablet or capsule form, hospital and household disinfectants, special formula milk prescribed for babies with medical conditions, and anti-dandruff or other medicated shampoos and soaps. Ordinary cosmetics, soaps and shampoos that make no medicinal claim are not on the list.

Part of a wider DRAP push

The notification comes in the same month as DRAP's barcode rule for medicines. In a circular dated 8 October, the authority said every registered drug manufactured in or imported into Pakistan on or after 9 October 2026 must carry a 2D barcode and serial number, so that fake and substandard packs can be traced. We explain that rule and how to check a medicine in our medicine barcode story, and keep DRAP's product recalls on one page: medicine recall alerts in Pakistan.

What you can do

• Buy supplements, probiotics and medicated products from licensed pharmacies and keep the receipt.
• Check the pack for the manufacturer's or importer's name, batch number and expiry date.
• Report a suspect product to DRAP: its helpline is 0800-03727 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm), according to its website.