The Role of Technology in Tackling Fake Drugs

•

February 8, 2025

•

Overview

Did you know that in 2017, the WHO estimated that about 10% of drugs circulating the world are fake drugs? The spread of fake drugs is a major health hazard, causing around 100,000 deaths every year in Africa.

As individuals, we rely on drugs to treat illnesses and improve our well-being. However, the presence of these fake drugs not only jeopardizes our health but also undermines the trust we have in our healthcare systems and causes substantial economic losses for pharmaceutical companies.

Understanding the problem of fake drugs

A fake/counterfeit drug is a drug which has been packaged or manufactured fraudulently, because they lack active ingredients or incorrect dosages.

Fake drugs are a serious problem, especially in places like Nigeria, where access to proper healthcare is already challenging. These drugs are dangerous because they don’t do what they’re supposed to. The lack of strict regulations and people not knowing how to spot these fake drugs has made it easier for them to circulate.�

And this isn’t just a Nigeria problem; it’s a global crisis that keeps putting millions of lives at risk.�

Technologies combating fake drugs

The escalating threat of fake drugs has spurred the development of innovative technologies aimed at safeguarding public health:

Drug Serialization: this helps in the verification and identification of fake drugs by allowing people to check the authenticity of drugs before use. It involves assigning a unique code to the drugs which are then tracked throughout the supply chain.

Blockchain Technology: Blockchain technology is a decentralized, digital ledger that records transactions across multiple computers in a secure way. Blockchain helps promote transparency and traceability in the drug supply chain. From manufacturing to distribution and finally to the pharmacy shelf, blockchain ensures only genuine drugs reach people. Unique identifiers like QR codes can be linked to blockchain records, allowing people to confirm a drug’s authenticity instantly.
Artificial Intelligence (AI): Machine Learning as a subset of AI are trained on large datasets of information about drugs, allowing them to identify patterns and any signs indicative of fake drugs. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), a type of deep learning algorithm employs AI to check for inconsistencies in drug packaging, labelling and physical appearances.

Mobile Authentication Service (MAS): MAS is a scheme employed in Nigeria to detect substandard and fake drugs. The person who purchases the drug scratches a panel on the product which reveals a unique, one-time use PIN. The PIN is sent toll- free to a short code using any of the GSM operators and he/she receives a response in form of a text message (SMS) indicating if the drug is either genuine or fake.

Benefits of using technology in combating fake drugs

The use of technology in combating fake drugs ensures:

1. Increased trust in healthcare systems.
2. Enhanced transparency and accountability in the supply chain.
3. Empowerment of consumers to identify counterfeit drugs.
4. Facilitation of real-time communication between manufacturers, regulators, and end-users.

Challenges in implementing technology

The following are problems encountered trying to incorporate technology in tackling fake drugs:

High costs of deploying advanced technologies.
Limited access to digital infrastructure in low-resource settings e.g. places like Nigeria.
Resistance from fake drug manufacturers and traders adapting to new technologies.
Need for collaboration between stakeholders (governments, pharmaceutical companies, and tech firms).

Call to Action

The fight against fake drugs is a battle we must win, and technology gives us the tools to do so. Governments, pharmaceutical companies, tech innovators, and individuals must work together to ensure these solutions are implemented and accessible to everyone.�

Let’s stay vigilant, demand accountability, and embrace these advancements to protect lives and build trust in our healthcare systems.�

The time to act is now—because every life matters.