November 13, 2026
November 13, 2026
Scratch and Verify Codes on Medicine Explained: How to Check Your Drugs
That small silver panel on your malaria drug pack could be the difference between treatment and danger. Here's how the scratch and verify code on medicine works in Nigeria, what each reply means, and what to do when it says "fake"
That small silver panel on your malaria drug pack could be the difference between treatment and danger. Here's how the scratch and verify code on medicine works in Nigeria, what each reply means, and what to do when it says "fake"
NAFDAC's scratch-and-text system lets you check many medicines in seconds. Here's how it works, which codes to use, and where its limits are.
Some fake medicines in Nigeria are now so convincing that even the real manufacturers struggle to tell them apart.
That isn't an exaggeration. In February 2026, NAFDAC seized more than 10 million doses of counterfeit malaria drugs and cosmetics worth about ₦3 billion at a Lagos market. The agency said many of the seized drugs were cloned so well that authorised manufacturers found it hard to distinguish genuine products from fakes.
If the packaging can fool the manufacturer, it can fool you. That's why the small silver panel on many medicine packs matters so much. This guide explains how the scratch and verify code on medicine works, what each reply means, where the system falls short, and what to do when a check fails.
Why Scratch Codes Matter Right Now
Counterfeit medicines aren't a rare problem in Nigeria. They're an organised trade. After the February 2026 seizure, NAFDAC urged Nigerians to always scratch and verify authentication codes on medicine packs, buy from registered pharmacies, avoid hawkers, and be suspicious of prices far below normal.
The most commonly faked products include antimalarials and antibiotics: the medicines families reach for most often, and the ones where a fake can turn a treatable illness into a dangerous one.
What Is a Scratch and Verify Code on Medicine?
A scratch and verify code on medicine is a hidden, one-time PIN printed under a scratch panel on the pack. It's part of NAFDAC's Mobile Authentication Service (MAS). You scratch the panel, text the PIN free to the short code printed beside it, and receive an SMS saying whether the product is genuine or suspected fake.
NAFDAC introduced MAS around 2010 as an anti-counterfeiting tool. It's meant to put the power to detect fakes in consumers' hands at the point of purchase.
How to Verify a Drug with the Scratch Code: Step by Step
Find the scratch panel. It's usually a small silver strip on the box, sachet or blister pack, often with a short code printed next to it.
Check that it hasn't been scratched. A panel that's already scratched, peeled or covered with a sticker is a warning sign.
Scratch gently with a coin or fingernail to reveal the PIN.
Text the PIN to the short code printed on the pack. According to NAFDAC, the message is toll-free on any GSM network.
Wait for the reply. It usually arrives within seconds to a minute, saying whether the product is genuine or suspected fake.
Do this before you leave the shop. It's much easier to refuse or return a product at the counter than after you get home.
NAFDAC's MAS Service Providers and Short Codes
Different manufacturers use different approved providers, so always text to the code printed on your pack. NAFDAC lists these providers and short codes:
Service provider | Short code |
PharmaSecure | 38351 |
Sproxil | 38353 |
Savanté | 38120 |
UBQ-t/Kezzler | 20966 |
M-Pedigree | 1393 |
If the short code on a pack isn't one of these, be cautious and verify the product another way.
What Does the Scratch Code Reply Mean?
Reply you get | What it likely means | What to do |
"Genuine" or similar confirmation | The PIN matches a genuine product registered with the provider | Check the product name in the reply matches the pack, then use as directed |
"Suspected fake" or "not genuine" | The PIN isn't valid for a genuine product | Don't use it. Return it and report to NAFDAC |
"Already verified" or "already used" | Someone has checked this PIN before. Each PIN is meant for one-time use | Treat it as suspicious, especially if you scratched it yourself. Counterfeiters copy real codes |
No reply | Network delay, wrong code or wrong short code | Recheck the digits and short code, then try again. If it still fails, don't rely on the product |
One detail people often miss: read the product name in the reply. A genuine PIN from a different, cheaper product can be printed on a fake pack. If the reply names a different medicine or strength, that's a red flag.
The Limits of Scratch Codes
Scratch codes are useful, but they aren't magic. Know their limits:
Not every medicine has one. NAFDAC's MAS scheme focuses on antimalarials and antibiotics. Many other genuine medicines have no scratch panel, so a missing panel doesn't automatically mean a fake.
Codes can be copied. Counterfeiters sometimes reprint real PINs. That's why an "already used" reply on a fresh pack matters.
It confirms the code, not how the drug was stored. A genuine drug kept in a hot shop or past its expiry date can still fail you.
It depends on you actually checking. A code nobody scratches protects no one.
Beyond Scratch Codes: Other Ways to Check Medicine
Use scratch codes alongside these checks:
Search the NAFDAC number. Our guide on how to verify a NAFDAC number before you buy shows how to search NAFDAC's Greenbook and registered products database.
Look for the 2D barcode. NAFDAC is rolling out pharmaceutical traceability using GS1 2D DataMatrix barcodes, backed by traceability regulations published in October 2024. Its Scan2Verify app is currently used mainly by health workers in the programme, but more packs now carry these codes.
Inspect the pack. Check for blurred printing, spelling errors, mismatched batch numbers or expiry dates between the box and the blister, and broken seals.
Know where you're buying. Registered pharmacies and patent medicine stores are safer than hawkers, motor parks and unknown online sellers.
Red Flags When Buying Medicine
The scratch panel is already scratched, peeled or covered.
The short code isn't on NAFDAC's list.
The SMS reply names a different product.
The price is far below what pharmacies normally charge.
Batch numbers or expiry dates on the box and blister don't match.
The seller is a hawker, roadside stall or social media page with no verifiable business.
The seller discourages you from checking: "No need, it's original."
Where Profiled Fits
Individual checks protect individual purchases. For pharmacies, clinics and businesses buying medicines in bulk, the risk sits higher up the chain, with the supplier. Profiled Nigeria's product authenticity checks help confirm what you're buying, while our business and vendor verification services help confirm who you're buying from before you pay. Our guide on how to verify a business before paying walks through the supplier checks.
What to Do If the Scratch Code Says Fake
Don't take the medicine. If you or your child have already taken some, contact a doctor or pharmacist straight away, especially if symptoms aren't improving.
Keep the pack, the receipt and the SMS reply. These are your evidence.
Return to the seller and ask where they sourced the product. Note the business name and address.
Report to NAFDAC. Call the toll-free complaints line, 0800-1-NAFDAC (0800-1-623322), or report suspected substandard or falsified medicines online at nafdac.medsafety.io.
Warn others in your family and community groups about the product, batch number and where it was sold.
FAQ
How do I verify a drug with the scratch code in Nigeria? Scratch the silver panel on the pack to reveal the PIN, then text the PIN to the short code printed beside it. The message is free on any GSM network. Within seconds to a minute, you should receive an SMS saying whether the product is genuine or suspected fake. Do this before leaving the pharmacy.
What does it mean when the scratch code says already used? Each MAS PIN is designed for one-time use. If you've just scratched a fresh panel and the reply says the code was already verified, someone has used that PIN before. That could mean the code was copied onto a counterfeit pack. Treat the product as suspicious, return it and report it to NAFDAC.
Is the MAS text message free? Yes. NAFDAC says the PIN is sent toll-free to the short code on any GSM network, so you shouldn't be charged for the verification SMS. If a seller asks you to pay to "verify" a drug, or directs you to an unknown number, be cautious and use the short code printed on the pack.
Do all medicines in Nigeria have scratch codes? No. NAFDAC's Mobile Authentication Service mainly covers antimalarials and antibiotics, and not every manufacturer uses it for other products. A genuine medicine may have no scratch panel. In that case, verify its NAFDAC number, inspect the pack and buy from a registered pharmacy.
What should I do if my drug is fake? Stop using it and keep the pack, receipt and SMS reply. If anyone has already taken it, speak to a doctor or pharmacist promptly. Report the product to NAFDAC on 0800-1-NAFDAC or at nafdac.medsafety.io, and tell the seller and your community so others don't buy from the same batch.
Conclusion
The scratch and verify code on medicine is one of the simplest anti-counterfeit tools Nigerians have: scratch, text, read the reply. Used properly, it can catch a fake before it reaches your body. It works best when combined with NAFDAC number checks, careful pack inspection and buying from registered outlets.
Profiled Nigeria's product authenticity checks and vendor verification services help pharmacies, businesses and families confirm both the product and the supplier. DigiLock, our fraud-intelligence solution, is built to help Nigerians spot fraud patterns early.
Remember: thirty seconds at the counter can save a life. Scratch before you swallow.
Verify before you pay. Create your free Profiled account today.
NAFDAC's scratch-and-text system lets you check many medicines in seconds. Here's how it works, which codes to use, and where its limits are.
Some fake medicines in Nigeria are now so convincing that even the real manufacturers struggle to tell them apart.
That isn't an exaggeration. In February 2026, NAFDAC seized more than 10 million doses of counterfeit malaria drugs and cosmetics worth about ₦3 billion at a Lagos market. The agency said many of the seized drugs were cloned so well that authorised manufacturers found it hard to distinguish genuine products from fakes.
If the packaging can fool the manufacturer, it can fool you. That's why the small silver panel on many medicine packs matters so much. This guide explains how the scratch and verify code on medicine works, what each reply means, where the system falls short, and what to do when a check fails.
Why Scratch Codes Matter Right Now
Counterfeit medicines aren't a rare problem in Nigeria. They're an organised trade. After the February 2026 seizure, NAFDAC urged Nigerians to always scratch and verify authentication codes on medicine packs, buy from registered pharmacies, avoid hawkers, and be suspicious of prices far below normal.
The most commonly faked products include antimalarials and antibiotics: the medicines families reach for most often, and the ones where a fake can turn a treatable illness into a dangerous one.
What Is a Scratch and Verify Code on Medicine?
A scratch and verify code on medicine is a hidden, one-time PIN printed under a scratch panel on the pack. It's part of NAFDAC's Mobile Authentication Service (MAS). You scratch the panel, text the PIN free to the short code printed beside it, and receive an SMS saying whether the product is genuine or suspected fake.
NAFDAC introduced MAS around 2010 as an anti-counterfeiting tool. It's meant to put the power to detect fakes in consumers' hands at the point of purchase.
How to Verify a Drug with the Scratch Code: Step by Step
Find the scratch panel. It's usually a small silver strip on the box, sachet or blister pack, often with a short code printed next to it.
Check that it hasn't been scratched. A panel that's already scratched, peeled or covered with a sticker is a warning sign.
Scratch gently with a coin or fingernail to reveal the PIN.
Text the PIN to the short code printed on the pack. According to NAFDAC, the message is toll-free on any GSM network.
Wait for the reply. It usually arrives within seconds to a minute, saying whether the product is genuine or suspected fake.
Do this before you leave the shop. It's much easier to refuse or return a product at the counter than after you get home.
NAFDAC's MAS Service Providers and Short Codes
Different manufacturers use different approved providers, so always text to the code printed on your pack. NAFDAC lists these providers and short codes:
Service provider | Short code |
PharmaSecure | 38351 |
Sproxil | 38353 |
Savanté | 38120 |
UBQ-t/Kezzler | 20966 |
M-Pedigree | 1393 |
If the short code on a pack isn't one of these, be cautious and verify the product another way.
What Does the Scratch Code Reply Mean?
Reply you get | What it likely means | What to do |
"Genuine" or similar confirmation | The PIN matches a genuine product registered with the provider | Check the product name in the reply matches the pack, then use as directed |
"Suspected fake" or "not genuine" | The PIN isn't valid for a genuine product | Don't use it. Return it and report to NAFDAC |
"Already verified" or "already used" | Someone has checked this PIN before. Each PIN is meant for one-time use | Treat it as suspicious, especially if you scratched it yourself. Counterfeiters copy real codes |
No reply | Network delay, wrong code or wrong short code | Recheck the digits and short code, then try again. If it still fails, don't rely on the product |
One detail people often miss: read the product name in the reply. A genuine PIN from a different, cheaper product can be printed on a fake pack. If the reply names a different medicine or strength, that's a red flag.
The Limits of Scratch Codes
Scratch codes are useful, but they aren't magic. Know their limits:
Not every medicine has one. NAFDAC's MAS scheme focuses on antimalarials and antibiotics. Many other genuine medicines have no scratch panel, so a missing panel doesn't automatically mean a fake.
Codes can be copied. Counterfeiters sometimes reprint real PINs. That's why an "already used" reply on a fresh pack matters.
It confirms the code, not how the drug was stored. A genuine drug kept in a hot shop or past its expiry date can still fail you.
It depends on you actually checking. A code nobody scratches protects no one.
Beyond Scratch Codes: Other Ways to Check Medicine
Use scratch codes alongside these checks:
Search the NAFDAC number. Our guide on how to verify a NAFDAC number before you buy shows how to search NAFDAC's Greenbook and registered products database.
Look for the 2D barcode. NAFDAC is rolling out pharmaceutical traceability using GS1 2D DataMatrix barcodes, backed by traceability regulations published in October 2024. Its Scan2Verify app is currently used mainly by health workers in the programme, but more packs now carry these codes.
Inspect the pack. Check for blurred printing, spelling errors, mismatched batch numbers or expiry dates between the box and the blister, and broken seals.
Know where you're buying. Registered pharmacies and patent medicine stores are safer than hawkers, motor parks and unknown online sellers.
Red Flags When Buying Medicine
The scratch panel is already scratched, peeled or covered.
The short code isn't on NAFDAC's list.
The SMS reply names a different product.
The price is far below what pharmacies normally charge.
Batch numbers or expiry dates on the box and blister don't match.
The seller is a hawker, roadside stall or social media page with no verifiable business.
The seller discourages you from checking: "No need, it's original."
Where Profiled Fits
Individual checks protect individual purchases. For pharmacies, clinics and businesses buying medicines in bulk, the risk sits higher up the chain, with the supplier. Profiled Nigeria's product authenticity checks help confirm what you're buying, while our business and vendor verification services help confirm who you're buying from before you pay. Our guide on how to verify a business before paying walks through the supplier checks.
What to Do If the Scratch Code Says Fake
Don't take the medicine. If you or your child have already taken some, contact a doctor or pharmacist straight away, especially if symptoms aren't improving.
Keep the pack, the receipt and the SMS reply. These are your evidence.
Return to the seller and ask where they sourced the product. Note the business name and address.
Report to NAFDAC. Call the toll-free complaints line, 0800-1-NAFDAC (0800-1-623322), or report suspected substandard or falsified medicines online at nafdac.medsafety.io.
Warn others in your family and community groups about the product, batch number and where it was sold.
FAQ
How do I verify a drug with the scratch code in Nigeria? Scratch the silver panel on the pack to reveal the PIN, then text the PIN to the short code printed beside it. The message is free on any GSM network. Within seconds to a minute, you should receive an SMS saying whether the product is genuine or suspected fake. Do this before leaving the pharmacy.
What does it mean when the scratch code says already used? Each MAS PIN is designed for one-time use. If you've just scratched a fresh panel and the reply says the code was already verified, someone has used that PIN before. That could mean the code was copied onto a counterfeit pack. Treat the product as suspicious, return it and report it to NAFDAC.
Is the MAS text message free? Yes. NAFDAC says the PIN is sent toll-free to the short code on any GSM network, so you shouldn't be charged for the verification SMS. If a seller asks you to pay to "verify" a drug, or directs you to an unknown number, be cautious and use the short code printed on the pack.
Do all medicines in Nigeria have scratch codes? No. NAFDAC's Mobile Authentication Service mainly covers antimalarials and antibiotics, and not every manufacturer uses it for other products. A genuine medicine may have no scratch panel. In that case, verify its NAFDAC number, inspect the pack and buy from a registered pharmacy.
What should I do if my drug is fake? Stop using it and keep the pack, receipt and SMS reply. If anyone has already taken it, speak to a doctor or pharmacist promptly. Report the product to NAFDAC on 0800-1-NAFDAC or at nafdac.medsafety.io, and tell the seller and your community so others don't buy from the same batch.
Conclusion
The scratch and verify code on medicine is one of the simplest anti-counterfeit tools Nigerians have: scratch, text, read the reply. Used properly, it can catch a fake before it reaches your body. It works best when combined with NAFDAC number checks, careful pack inspection and buying from registered outlets.
Profiled Nigeria's product authenticity checks and vendor verification services help pharmacies, businesses and families confirm both the product and the supplier. DigiLock, our fraud-intelligence solution, is built to help Nigerians spot fraud patterns early.
Remember: thirty seconds at the counter can save a life. Scratch before you swallow.
Verify before you pay. Create your free Profiled account today.
