How to check a medicine's expiry date, batch number and MRP
How to check medicine expiry dates in India, read the batch number and MRP, scan the QR code on top brands, and what to do with expired or wrong medicines.
The strip is in your hand, the print is tiny, and there are four different dates and codes on it. Learning to check a medicine's expiry date properly takes about ten seconds once you know where to look, and the same ten seconds tells you the batch number, the maximum price you should pay, and whether the pack is genuine.
Here's how to read it, and what to do when something doesn't look right.
Where do you find the expiry date on a medicine?
The expiry date is printed on the strip, bottle or tube and on the outer carton, usually labelled "Exp", "Exp. Date" or "Use before", in month-and-year form such as "Exp. 06/2027". On strips, it's often embossed or printed on the foil edge, near the batch number.
Indian drug labelling rules require these details on every medicine:
| Label marking | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| B. No. or Batch No. (sometimes "Lot") | The production batch. Used to trace and recall a batch if there's a problem |
| Mfg. Date or MFD | When this batch was made |
| Exp. Date or Use before | The last month the medicine is meant to be used |
| M.R.P. | The maximum retail price, including all taxes |
| Mfg. Lic. No. | The manufacturer's drug licence number |
| Manufacturer name and address | Who made it, and where |
| Rx symbol and warning | A prescription-only medicine (Schedule H or H1) |
If you're checking a strip that's been cut from a larger one, the expiry may be on the part you don't have. That's one reason to keep strips in their carton until they're used up.
How do you read "Exp 06/2027" correctly?
"Exp. 06/2027" is generally read as usable through the end of June 2027. "Use before 06/2027" means use it before June 2027 begins, so through the end of May. If a full date is printed, such as 15/06/2027, the medicine is meant to be used up to that day.
Two practical rules sit on top of that:
- Check the whole course, not just today. If you've been prescribed 10 days of a medicine that expires in 5, ask for another strip.
- Opened isn't the same as sealed. Expiry dates are for unopened packs stored as the label says. Eye drops, syrups and creams often have a shorter life once opened. Many eye drops, for example, tell you to discard them a few weeks after opening. Follow the instruction on the label or leaflet.
Storage matters too. "Store below 25°C" and "protect from light and moisture" aren't suggestions. A strip kept in a hot car or a steamy bathroom can lose strength before its expiry date. Insulin and some vaccines need the fridge. Our shipping policy explains how InstaMG handles these cold-chain items.
What is the batch number for, and why should you note it?
The batch number links your pack to the exact production run it came from, so a manufacturer or regulator can trace and recall it. It's your proof of which product you actually received.
Note or photograph the batch number when:
- you or a family member has an unexpected reaction to a medicine,
- a medicine looks, smells or tastes different from your usual one,
- you hear of a recall and want to check if yours is affected,
- you're reporting a wrong, damaged or expired item.
When you report a problem with an InstaMG order, a clear photo of the batch number and expiry date is the fastest way to get it sorted.
How do you check the MRP, and what if you're charged more?
The MRP is the most anyone can legally charge you for that pack, and it already includes all taxes. Under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, selling a medicine above its printed price, or above the government's price list where that's lower, is an offence. Selling below MRP is allowed, which is why discounts exist.
A few things worth knowing:
- "MRP ₹120 incl. of all taxes" means ₹120 is the ceiling. GST can't be added on top.
- For scheduled medicines, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority also fixes a ceiling price, and the MRP must stay within it.
- If you're given a cut strip, the price should be proportionate to the number of tablets.
On InstaMG, the accepting pharmacy confirms the final price before dispatch, and it will never exceed the printed MRP.
How do you check if a medicine is genuine using the QR code?
Since 1 August 2023, the top 300 medicine brands sold in India, listed in Schedule H2 of the Drugs Rules, must carry a QR code or barcode on the pack. Scanning it shows the product's details so you can match them with what's printed.
The code links to:
- a unique product identification code,
- the proper and generic name of the drug and its brand name,
- the manufacturer's name and address,
- the batch number,
- the manufacturing and expiry dates,
- the manufacturing licence number.
Point your phone's camera at the code, then compare what appears with the pack in your hand. If the batch number or dates don't match, or a big brand that should have a code doesn't, don't take the medicine. Keep it, and report it.
The code is only required on those 300 brands, so many genuine medicines won't have one. A missing QR code on a smaller brand isn't a warning sign by itself.
What should you do with an expired, wrong or suspicious medicine?
Don't take it. Keep the pack, photograph the batch number, expiry date and invoice, and report it to the seller.
| What you found | What to do |
|---|---|
| Expired when it reached you | Report it to the pharmacy or app. On InstaMG, report within 48 hours of delivery for a return or refund |
| Wrong medicine, strength or quantity | Don't open it further. Report it with photos and the invoice |
| Seal broken or pack damaged at delivery | Refuse it at the door if you can, or report it straight away |
| Looks or tastes different, or the QR details don't match | Stop using it, keep the pack, and report it to the seller and your State Drugs Controller |
| A medicine at home has expired | Don't use it. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of it |
Our refund policy sets out exactly how returns work for wrong, damaged or expired items. If you're unsure whether a prescription was dispensed correctly in the first place, what makes a prescription valid in India explains what the pharmacist should have checked.
If you've already taken a medicine that may be expired or not genuine and you feel unwell, contact a doctor. In an emergency, call 112.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check the expiry date of a medicine in India?
Look for "Exp", "Exp. Date" or "Use before" on the strip, bottle or carton. It's printed as month and year, such as "Exp. 06/2027", usually next to the batch number and manufacturing date.
Can I use a medicine in its expiry month?
"Exp. 06/2027" is generally read as usable through the end of June 2027. "Use before 06/2027" means use it before June begins. Opened eye drops, syrups and creams may have a shorter life, so follow the label.
What does the batch number on a medicine mean?
The batch number identifies the production run your pack came from. It lets manufacturers and regulators trace and recall a batch, and it's the detail to note when reporting a problem with a medicine.
Can a chemist charge more than the MRP?
No. The MRP printed on a medicine includes all taxes, and selling above it is an offence under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013. A chemist can sell below MRP.
Which medicines in India have a QR code?
Since 1 August 2023, the top 300 medicine brands listed in Schedule H2 of the Drugs Rules, 1945 must carry a QR code or barcode. Scanning it shows details such as the batch number, expiry date and manufacturer to help confirm the medicine is genuine.
A ten-second habit
Every time a medicine reaches you, check the expiry date against your whole course, glance at the MRP, and scan the QR code if there is one. Keep the batch number until you've finished the pack.
InstaMG launches in Sector 150, Noida in November 2026, with sealed packs from licensed pharmacies and easy returns for wrong, damaged or expired items. Join the waitlist for early access.