Ghana’s Technology War against Fake Drugs
The war against counterfeit drugs is now fought through mobile phones in Ghana. The campaign which the former Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Dora Akunyili probably started in Africa has been taken a step further.
“according to Ghanaian entrepreneurs who will soon introduce in West Africa verification via cell phone text. Consumers who purchase certain medications will be able to send the label code via free cell phone text message and within seconds receive a text response from the drug manufacturer of whether the drug is legitimate and comes from a safe batch”.
The technology does not only tackle Counterfeiters but also empowers the consumer to get involved in the verification exercise.
Counterfeit drugs have abysmal effect on its users as such anything and everything done to oust it is commendable. Through NAFDAC’s effort under Akunyili Nigerians both the educated and the unlearned have become vigilante and protective of their health. While the Counterfeiters like Internet hackers’ device sophisticated means to perfect their crime it is imperative that the government and health agencies are up to date to defy it.
On another note, I don’t know if it’s me but up till now the name of the new NAFDAC DG seems quite elusive. I can’t grasp the name of the successor. This may not be unconnected with the fact that he has not put his acts together. My curiosity led me to the agency’s Website where I hoped to find this information and behold Akunyili’s biography and picture with her sprawling collection of various awards adorn the page three months after she stepped down or is it up. The new DG should at least gather and display his qualifications and awards fast and start work.
“according to Ghanaian entrepreneurs who will soon introduce in West Africa verification via cell phone text. Consumers who purchase certain medications will be able to send the label code via free cell phone text message and within seconds receive a text response from the drug manufacturer of whether the drug is legitimate and comes from a safe batch”.
The technology does not only tackle Counterfeiters but also empowers the consumer to get involved in the verification exercise.
Counterfeit drugs have abysmal effect on its users as such anything and everything done to oust it is commendable. Through NAFDAC’s effort under Akunyili Nigerians both the educated and the unlearned have become vigilante and protective of their health. While the Counterfeiters like Internet hackers’ device sophisticated means to perfect their crime it is imperative that the government and health agencies are up to date to defy it.
On another note, I don’t know if it’s me but up till now the name of the new NAFDAC DG seems quite elusive. I can’t grasp the name of the successor. This may not be unconnected with the fact that he has not put his acts together. My curiosity led me to the agency’s Website where I hoped to find this information and behold Akunyili’s biography and picture with her sprawling collection of various awards adorn the page three months after she stepped down or is it up. The new DG should at least gather and display his qualifications and awards fast and start work.
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