How to Read a Medicine Strip: MRP, Batch, Expiry and Schedule
Every medicine pack in India carries important information. Here is what each marking means and what to check before you take a dose.
- Author
- Pharmacy Team
- Published
- Reading time
- 1 min read
The essentials on every pack
- Brand and generic name — the salt (active ingredient) and its strength, e.g. Paracetamol IP 650 mg.
- MRP — the maximum retail price, inclusive of all taxes. No seller can charge more than this.
- Batch number (B.No.) — identifies the production lot. It is printed on your invoice too, so the medicine can be traced.
- Mfg. and Exp. dates — never use a medicine after the expiry date.
Schedule markings
| Marking | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Rx | Prescription medicine — sold only against a valid prescription |
| Schedule H1 (red box) | Certain antibiotics and habit-forming drugs; pharmacies must keep extra records |
| Schedule X | Strictly controlled — cannot be sold online |
Storage instructions
"Store below 25°C", "Protect from light" and "Do not freeze" are there for a reason — heat and moisture can make medicines less effective.
Always read the leaflet and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
