SMS fake drug alert system on WHO radar

The World Health Organization (WHO)  has shown an interest in the SMS-based fake drug alerts adopted by the Indian state of Gujarat, a local official claims.

Gujarat implemented the system earlier this year to cut the time taken to notify stakeholders of counterfeit medicines. So far, the system has issued 60 alerts warning chemists of fake drugs.

Veer Surya from the WHO saw the model on a recent visit to the state and is reportedly interested in widening adoption. "It plans to implement this cost-effective model for patient safety in the developing countries," local official HG Koshia told Daily Bhaskar.

Gujarat has begun the process by submitting a concept note to the WHO. Other Indian states have also taken notice, with several regions reportedly working to replicate the Gujarat system.

The interest is part of a state-level push to tackle fake medicines. Chhattisgarh, for example, is building an online counterfeit drug database including batch numbers and other details of fake medicines. Officials from Gujarat are providing their experience and expertise to the project.