mPedigree SMS Drug Verification (Ghana)
Ghana (also Nigeria, Egypt, India, East Africa), West Africa, Global
mPedigree developed an innovative SMS verification system to combat fake and counterfeit medicines in Ghana and 12+ countries. Consumers scratch a label on medicine packaging to reveal a unique code, then send a free SMS to instantly verify authenticity with a "yes" or "no" response. Adopted as the industry standard by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana and endorsed by the Ministry of Health. Over 2 billion products authenticated since 2007. System now expanded to verify seeds, agrochemicals, and cosmetics.
Theme Areas
Behavior Goal
Empower consumers to verify medicine authenticity before purchase/use, reduce consumption of counterfeit drugs that cause tens of thousands of deaths annually
Target Audiences
Channels
Implementers & Partners
- mPedigree
- Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana
- Hewlett Packard (HP)
Donors & Sponsors
- Various Private Investors
- Development Finance
Key Takeaways
- 12 billion products authenticated using simple SMS verification
- 2Costs less than 1% of drug selling price - affordable for pharmacists
- 3Adopted as official Ghana industry standard (PREVENT program)
- 4Technology extended to agriculture - combating 40% fake seed rates
- 5Instant consumer feedback creates market pressure against counterfeits