Tags
counterfeit medication in Pakistan, drug overdose, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, ProCheck, self-medication, verification checks for counterfeit medicines
In a country where approximately 30% of all medications sold are counterfeit, a Pakistani start-up ProCheck – is on a mission to reduce this figure, ensuring that people have access to safe and authentic medicines. This is a welcome initiative given that several instances of fake drug usage have endangered hundreds of lives in recent years.
Incorporated in 2014, the start-up is in the process of establishing collaborative partnerships with the largest pharmaceutical brands operating in the country. Once these agreements are finalised, every strip/bottle of medicine manufactured by these companies will have an eight-digit alphanumeric authentication code imprinted on it. To verify that the medicine they have purchased is original and has not expired, all buyers need to do is to SMS the code to 9900, after which they will receive a message confirming whether or not the medications are valid. Continue reading