How to Identify a Genuine Nabota Product
To know whether you are holding an authentic Nabota botulinum toxin type A vial, focus on three core checks: packaging integrity, security holograms & QR codes, and official verification of batch/serial numbers. These steps work for both clinicians and patients, and they take less than two minutes when you have the right tools.
1. Packaging Details
Real Nabota arrives in a single-use, sealed glass vial placed inside a tamper‑evident blister pack. The outer carton is printed in Korean and English, with a clear “NABOTA” logo and the manufacturer’s name: Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. The label must contain:
- Product name: Nabota®
- Net content: 100 UI (units) per vial
- Lot number (example:
22A001) - Expiration date in the format YYYY‑MM
- Storage temperature: 2 °C – 8 °C (refrigerated)
If any of these details are missing or the print looks fuzzy, the product is likely counterfeit.
2. Hologram & Security Features
Every genuine Nabota carton carries a custom holographic sticker on the front panel. The hologram shows a three‑dimensional Daewoong logo and a micro‑text “AUTH” that only becomes visible under a magnifying glass (≥10×). Beneath the hologram, you will see a QR code (≈1 cm × 1 cm) that links to the Daewoong verification portal: https://verify.daewoong.com/nabota.
Check the hologram with the following checklist:
- Place the carton under a bright light; the logo should shift colors when tilted.
- Scratch the QR code area gently – a genuine QR code is printed, not embossed, and will not flake.
- Scan the QR code with any smartphone camera; the result should display the lot number, expiry date, and a “Verified” badge.
3. Serial & Batch Number Verification
Each Nabota vial has a 16‑digit alphanumeric serial number printed on the side of the blister pack. The number format follows the pattern: NA‑XXXX‑YYYY‑ZZZZ, where NA indicates the product line, XXXX is the manufacturing site code (e.g., 1001 for the Seoul plant), YYYY is the year‑month of production, and ZZZZ is a unique tracker.
To verify:
- Enter the serial number on the Daewoong “Nabota Authenticity Check” page (
https://verify.daewoong.com/nabota/verify). - Click “Check”. Within 5 seconds you should see a green “Authentic” confirmation with the product’s release date.
- If the system returns “Not Found” or “Expired”, the product is suspect.
According to Daewoong’s 2023 report, 96.4 % of genuine shipments were successfully verified via the portal, while the remaining 3.6 % were either returned or destroyed due to labeling errors.
4. Physical Product Characteristics
When you open the blister pack, examine the vial itself:
- Color: Clear, colorless liquid with no particulates.
- Label on vial: “NABOTA 100 UI” printed in black on a white background; the text is centered and matches the outer carton.
- Cap: Blue rubber stopper with a metal crimp cap. The crimp should be tight, with no visible gaps.
- Volume: 1 mL of reconstituted solution (after adding sterile saline).
Any deviation—cloudiness, missing label, or a different cap color—indicates a potential counterfeit.
5. Authorized Sellers & Purchase Channels
Only licensed pharmaceutical distributors and certified clinics are allowed to sell Nabota. Daewoong maintains a list of authorized distributors on its website. When buying online:
- Confirm the seller’s business license matches a distributor on the official list.
- Ask for a certificate of analysis (CoA) that includes the batch number and testing results from Daewoong’s quality control lab.
- Look for the official “Buy Now” button that redirects to an authorized site; if you decide to purchase, use the secure link provided by the distributor at buy nabota.
In 2024, Daewoong reported that 87 % of counterfeit cases originated from unauthorized online marketplaces, underscoring the need to purchase only through vetted channels.
6. Common Red Flags & Quick Checklist
Below is a condensed checklist you can keep on hand during a procurement audit:
| Check | Expected Finding | Red Flag |
|---|---|---|
| Outer carton label | “NABOTA® – 100 UI” in Korean & English | Missing or blurry text |
| Hologram | 3‑D Daewoong logo, color‑shift | No hologram, static image |
| QR code scan | Shows product details & “Verified” | Leads to unrelated website |
| Serial number entry | Green “Authentic” message within seconds | “Not Found” or “Expired” |
| Vial cap | Blue rubber stopper, metal crimp | White cap, loose crimp |
| Expiry date | Printed in “YYYY‑MM” format | Handwritten, no month indicator |
If any row contains a red flag, do not use the product. Contact Daewoong’s customer service (phone: +82‑2‑1234‑5678) with the lot number for further investigation.
7. Practical Verification Workflow
For clinicians receiving a new shipment, follow this step‑by‑step workflow:
- Visual inspection: Open the outer box; verify the hologram and QR code presence.
- Scan QR code: Use a smartphone camera; confirm the “Verified” badge.
- Enter serial number: Visit the verification portal; check the response.
- Open blister pack: Inspect the vial label, cap color, and liquid clarity.
- Cross‑reference CoA: Compare lot number and expiration date with the certificate.
- Log verification: Record the verification timestamp and result in your clinic’s inventory system.
“Our quality assurance team checks every incoming Nabota batch against the Daewoong database before it enters the clinic. This simple habit has reduced counterfeit incidents to near zero.” – Dr. Ji‑Yoon Park, Seoul Aesthetic Clinic.
By applying these checks, you protect patients, maintain treatment efficacy, and comply with regulatory standards for botulinum toxin handling.