KENYA— In a bid to fend off the persistent challenge of counterfeit health products in the Kenyan market, a German blockchain start-up, authentic.network, has introduced a new digital seal to mark authentic pharma products from their counterfeit counterparts.
According to the start-up, launched in 2017, it produces a new unique QR tag for authentication that is then used to ensure the authenticity of products, medicines, and documents.
Moreover, authentic.network combines blockchain technology and innovative printing and scanning methods that creates the possibility to read out the data from print products with their mobile application.
The blockchain startup attributes the introduction of its operations into the Kenyan market to the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Kenya (AHK Kenya).
Additionally, Ambassador Sebastian Groth from Germany to Kenya, as well as the DEG Impulse, and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers who are on board, supporting the implementation of the project in Kenya.
According to Frank Theeg Chief executive officer (CEO), authentic users such as pharmacists or patients are now able to verify immediately via an app whether the drugs in question are genuine or counterfeit.
“This technology can solve the global counterfeit problem. The key to this is blockchain technology, which can identify product usage patterns, analyses them, and detects fakes,” elaborated Theeg.
As we expand pharma access, we as well expand pharma’s counterfeit menace
Recently, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reported that an estimated that approximately 500,000 individuals have lost their lives in Sub-Saharan Africa due to the consumption of counterfeit and substandard medications.
Furthermore, the report reveals that 40% of the substandard and falsified medical products detected in Sub-Saharan countries between 2013 and 2021 were discovered within the regulated supply chain.
Locally, data from the Anti-counterfeit Authority of Kenya (ACA), show that Kenya losses US$6bn yearly due to counterfeits.
ACA notes that counterfeit medicines not only pose significant threats to health, increase disease prevalence and antimicrobial resistance, but also cause a loss of public confidence in healthcare professionals and health systems.
Additionally, they impede access to healthcare and ultimately the goal of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
ACA defines counterfeit drugs, as pharma products that have been manufactured or packaged fraudulently and are referred to as counterfeit/fake/spurious/falsified drugs because they either lack active ingredients or have incorrect dosages.
Additionally, it may contain inappropriate quantities of active ingredients or none, it may be improperly processed within the body like absorption by the body, may contain ingredients, which may or may not be harmful, that are not mentioned on the label, or may be supplied with inaccurate or fake packaging and labeling.
Unfortunately, counterfeits have varied impacts on the consumer, ranging from no benefit at all from the drug to suboptimal effect or becoming resistant to the drugs (in the case of anti-infectives), thereby leading to larger health issues later or even, at worst, death.
A necessary boost of confidence in your local pharmacists and drug supplier
According to Omotunde Kasali, authentic.network, Africa business development lead, the blockchain startup will help Kenyan brands and businesses with authentic secure encrypted code.
Kasali elaborated that the scan shows the location of the product and where it has been scanned and that the application is multi-lingual and relays negative information to manufacturers and or distributors to act on.
“Authentic has created stickers with unique codes that manufacturers and distributors can attach to boxes and sachets of pills. Consumers can then use apps on their phones to scan the code and confirm their authenticity,” Omotunde said.
This is vital for pharmacists since they are vital players in the war against drug counterfeiting as they are the individuals who are in direct contact with the drug suppliers.
Patients are advised by Pharmacy and Poisons board (PPB) to always buy the medicines from a trusted source, particularly those that have a health safety QR code where they can ascertain whether the dealer is registered or not.
The PPB also recommends that patients avoid using shady online pharmacies since reports suggest that most counterfeit products are sold via untrusted online pharmacies.
Pharmacists must ensure that they are buying their medicines from a trustworthy source that has been approved by the Pharmacy and poisons board.
Via their social media, authentic.network posted, “We’re excited to announce that our innovative technology is now available in #Kenya, with local staff on the ground to ensure the best possible service.”
The blockchain startup added that it believes that its unique solutions can make a real difference in the region, and they are excited to be a part of the country’s growth story.
“If you’re interested in partnering with us and utilizing our technology to create a more secure future, we’d love to hear from you. Don’t hesitate to get in touch and find out how we can work together!” the post concludes.
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