Kenya's ongoing battle against counterfeit drugs in the local market has received a significant boost with the introduction of "Mpedigree" by the country's third-largest mobile service provider. This SMS-based system, launched by Orange Kenya, aims to identify fake drugs and will be implemented through an aggressive campaign in partnership with the Ministry of Medical Services in Kenya and Cameroon, where an alarming estimate suggests that 30 percent of drugs are counterfeit. Counterfeit drugs have been a major obstacle in combating deadly diseases such as HIV, TB, and Malaria in many African countries. Recently, Kenya faced shocking revelations regarding the presence of counterfeit drugs for both HIV and Malaria. The implementation of Mpedigree is expected to help identify and confiscate fake drugs, saving lives and furthering the government's efforts to contain diseases like TB and Malaria.

The Mpedigree system will be rolled out across various health centers in Kenya, utilizing the unique serial numbers of each drug. By comparing these serial numbers with genuine ones, any discrepancies will raise concerns about the drug's authenticity. Serial numbers will be scanned before any drug is prescribed to patients, effectively eliminating the risk of counterfeit drugs. During the launch, Kenya's Minister of Medical Services, Prof. Anyang Nyongo, emphasized the importance of being vigilant in fighting the manufacturing of fake drugs by cracking down on the companies responsible. Orange Kenya's CEO, Mickael Ghossein, expressed the company's commitment to eradicating counterfeit drugs in the country. He also highlighted that the launch of Mpedigree was part of Orange's broader efforts to remain a leading provider of e-solutions that cater to market needs while offering convenience to customers.

While the announcement of Mpedigree's integration into Orange's operations in Africa was made earlier this year, its implementation comes two months after the Kenyan government unveiled its e-health strategy. Orange Kenya aims to leverage its fast 3G internet connection platform, with speeds of up to 21Mbps, in collaboration with other partners to establish potential ICT solutions that will benefit its customers. In this context, Mpedigree will enhance the government's initiatives to deliver quality medical care as outlined in the new constitution. Orange has also formed partnerships with renowned industry players such as Qualcomm as part of the "Wireless Reach" project, which focuses on automating the procurement of antiretroviral drugs at public clinics.