Opinions & Features

How this Ghanaian was inspired by tragedy to launch a business that helps people detect fake drugs

Counterfeit drugs are among some of the leading causes of death in sub-Saharan Africa. According to a report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, counterfeit drugs could be responsible for up to 270,000 additional deaths per year in sub-Saharan Africa.

In addition, the report notes that in some parts of Africa, more than 30% of medicines sold are substandard or falsified medical products. What is more, the continent is the most affected by the falsification of medicines, recording 42% of global seizures.

In order to help improve public health safety and ensure that consumers are buying the right drug and not a counterfeit, a Ghanaian entrepreneur, Ashifi Gogo, launched a tech startup called Sproxil which helps people to detect counterfeit products.

Sproxil works by providing consumers the means to do a quick authenticity test by SMS or app to check the unique number on the packaging of products on its platform. The platform/Sproxil was launched in 2009 and its first trial was done in Nigeria employing what was then called Mobile Product Authentication (MPA) on the well-known diabetes drug Glucophage, according to How We Made It In Africa.

Customers sent SMS to the code on a pack of Glucophage at no charge and received a notification on whether the product was authentic or not. Since the trial, Sproxil now has over three billion unique digital codes for the products of brands using its platform.

Gogo’s decision to invest in detecting authentic drugs was influenced by a tragic event that occurred in Nigeria in 2008 where children died after ingesting teething syrup. It was later uncovered that the teething syrup contained a high concentration of a toxic chemical. It was alleged that the manufacturer got ingredients from an unlicensed chemical marker.

According to Gogo, his vision to sanitize the drug industry would not have been possible without the vision of the then director-general of the Nigerian National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Dora Akunyili. She wanted to adopt technology to solve the issue of counterfeiting and so invited Sproxil to make presentations to various stakeholders and trade groups.

Gogo funded the startup using his personal savings. Later, he got grants and prize money from competitions. Customer revenue also helped.

In its first year, the company achieved venture-style growth. “We tripled revenue each year for the first two years, then nearly doubled it again each year for the subsequent two years. It was in line with how venture capital investors expect companies they fund to grow,” he said.

The company in 2011 got a $1.8 million investment from Acumen Fund and a seven-figure loan facility from Deutsche Bank in 2015.

There are now other companies like Sproxil but Gogo believes his company can compete successfully. “We can accelerate sales but also plug holes in the supply chain where there might be security issues,” he said. “It’s two-for-one value.”

Born in Ghana, Gogo moved to the U.S. in 2001 to attend Whitman College. He studied mathematics and physics and completed his Ph.D. in engineering. The topic of his thesis was authentication technology designed for emerging markets.

Abu Mubarik

Abu Mubarik is a journalist with years of experience in digital media. He loves football and tennis.

Recent Posts

Motown’s Martha Reeves finally gets star on Hollywood Walk of Fame after she had to crowdfund for it

The renowned Grammy and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Martha Reeves, earned her place…

12 hours ago

Tragedy in South Africa as vehicle carrying Easter worshippers falls off bridge, 45 dead

The Easter weekend didn’t start well for some worshippers who have been reported dead in…

13 hours ago

Gladys Muhammad, the woman who has played Harriet Tubman several times to keep her legacy alive

Gladys Muhammad, an Indiana native, is working hard to preserve Harriet Tubman's legacy. Following her…

15 hours ago

Liquor store clerk shocked she sold $1.13B Mega Millions ticket without knowing identity of purchaser

TiYahna Bambaata, a clerk at a New Jersey liquor store, sold the $1.13 billion Mega…

16 hours ago

Meet Safro Fades, the barber who uses hammers, knives and made history winning a ‘Barber Grammy’

Martin "Safro Fades" Safari is not a barber who follows the conventional rules of the…

18 hours ago

After being slammed for bragging about being rich, rapper Latto sends fan $2K for rent money

Latto has once again won the hearts of her followers after making a generous donation…

19 hours ago

Man accused of fatally stabbing Walmart worker allegedly gave all African Americans at store ‘dirty looks’

Authorities in Illinois have arrested and charged a man in connection with the fatal stabbing…

20 hours ago

Diddy no longer owner of Revolt TV as new mystery owner takes over: report

Almost a decade ago, Sean "P Diddy" Combs launched a cable music channel called Revolt…

20 hours ago

Krystal Anderson: Longtime Kansas City Chiefs cheerleader dies after stillbirth

Krystal Lakeshia Anderson, a longtime cheerleader for the Kansas City Chiefs and a women’s health…

21 hours ago

Owners of bowling alley where Takeoff was shot blame rapper for his death in response to lawsuit

The owners of the bowling alley where Takeoff was fatally shot are asking a judge…

21 hours ago

How Crawford-Williams started a movement in her apartment that now supports hundreds of small businesses in Detroit

Get to know Jennyfer Crawford-Williams; she is behind All Things Detroit Day, an annual event…

1 day ago

Two friends treat South African security guard to once in a lifetime helicopter ride over the rainbow nation

Two friends in their 20s made a heartwarming gesture to their apartment's security guard after…

2 days ago

From errand-runner to multi-business owner, meet 2024 Enterprising Woman of the Year Roslyn Ellerbee

Roslyn Ellerbee, the CEO and founder of Dream Team Digital Marketing, Manifesting Greatness with Roslyn…

2 days ago

Kevin Hart loses big after selling his Bored Ape NFT, raises concerns over future of NFTs

In 2022, American actor and comedian Kevin Hart joined a growing list of celebrities who…

2 days ago

Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley makes history again with national coach of the year win

The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has picked South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley…

2 days ago