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Press Release
Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana
August 21, 2014
PSGH LAUNCH
‘MPEDIGREE’ & SOCIAL MEDIA TO FIGHT FAKE DRUGS
(In the wake of the Cholera Crisis & Fears of
Ebola)
Once a fake or counterfeit medicine slips through
the system and enter a pharmacy, the harm has
already been done. The Pharmaceutical Society of
Ghana (PSGH) is therefore launching an initiative
called PREVENT with its partners,mPedigree Network
and PopOut to implement preventive measures against
fake and counterfeit medicines.
PREVENT stands for Patients’ Research, Empowerment,
Vigilance, and Education Through New Technologies.
The initiative shall seek to prevent as many fake
and counterfeit medicines from entering the Ghanaian
supply chain in the first place, by improving
vigilance, empowering patients, and educating the
public through social media and themPedigree
Goldkeys platform.
This is now even more critical as this country
confronts epidemics such as Cholera, and as fears
are mounting about Ebola. Fake antibiotics and other
medicines would only undermine the control of
epidemics.
The PSGH has engaged two technology partners for
PREVENT. PopOut (www.popoutweb.com), an
award-winning digital agency based in Accra, shall
support the social media strategy, and mPedigree
Network (www.mPedigree.Net), also an award-winning
social enterprise based in Accra, shall provide its
goldkeys technology (www.goldkeys.net) to enable
patients and consumers to use their mobile phones to
verify their medicines at various pharmacies.
Social Media Strategy
Website:
www.preventfaking.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/preventfaking
Facebook: www.facebook.com/preventfaking
All are encouraged to visit these websites and
social media portals for important tips and alerts
on how to keep safe and defend your health and that
of your family from fake medicines. Share your
insights, experiences and viewpoints.
Verifying Medicines Using Your Mobile Phone
The following pharmaceutical companies are the
launch partners for the mobile authentication of
medicines program:
LaGray
Dannex
KAMA
Tobinco
DanAdams
Starwin
What to look out for: A scratch panel on a
mini-label, and a gold padlock with a key insert, on
the pack of medicine.
What to do: Scratch off the panel and text the
revealed PIN to shortcode 1393. Wait for a response.
If the response is negative, do not use the
medicine, and follow the instructions on the screen.
Plans for the Near Future
It is the expectation of the Pharmaceutical Society
and its partners that over the next 3 years,
millions of Ghanaians will be able to improve their
confidence in the quality of pharmaceuticals sold in
Ghana, and that this shall also improve confidence
in the pharmacy profession. For this to happen, the
PSGH aims to collaborate with critical government
institutions and regulatory agencies, such as the
Food & Drug Authority, the Ministry of Health, as
well as Civil Society and the private sector.
The PSGH calls on all stakeholders to support
PREVENT and make it a resounding success.
Signed,
Pharm. James Ohemeng Kyei
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