Bright Simons and the Fight Against Counterfeit Drugs with mPedigree

In many low- and middle-income countries, counterfeit and substandard pharmaceuticals pose a major threat to public health. In Africa alone, estimates suggest that 10% to 30% of medicines in circulation may be fake or of poor quality—leading not only to treatment failure but also, in some cases, harm or death.

Against this backdrop, Bright Simons, a Ghanaian social innovator, conceived a bold, practical, and scalable solution: mPedigree, a mobile-enabled verification system for medicines and other products. Below is a full look at his story, the approach of mPedigree, its impact, and lessons for future innovators.

Who Is Bright Simons?

Background & Education
Bright Simons is Ghanaian and studied at Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School (PRESEC) in Ghana before continuing at Durham University in the UK, where he pursued astrophysics. Over time, he gravitated toward social innovation and systemic change, combining technical knowledge with policy, public health, and entrepreneurship.

Professional Roles & Recognition
He is the Founder and President of mPedigree, launched around 2007 as a solution to protect communities from counterfeit medicines using simple mobile technology. Beyond mPedigree, he is active in policy and research, notably serving as Vice President for Research at IMANI Centre for Policy & Education in Ghana.
His work has earned global recognition: he has been a TED Fellow, a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, and mPedigree has been celebrated globally as a pioneering innovation.

Philosophy & Approach
Simons combines consumer empowerment—allowing people to verify what they buy—with top-level partnerships across governments, regulators, and pharmaceutical brands. He views counterfeiting not just as a technical issue but as a systemic problem connected to governance, trust, and supply chains.

The mPedigree System: How It Works

mPedigree is a mobile-based authentication system that lets consumers check the authenticity of medicines and products:

1. Unique Product Codes
   Manufacturers tag each product pack with a unique, one-time code, often placed under a scratch-off label.

2. Secure Registry
   These codes are uploaded to a secure database managed by mPedigree.

3. SMS Verification
   Consumers reveal the code on their purchase and send it via SMS to a designated shortcode. The system verifies the code and instantly responds with a message indicating whether the product is genuine or not.

4. No Cost to Users
   The SMS verification is free to consumers, with costs absorbed by participating manufacturers and partners.

   
   

5. Expansion Beyond Pharmaceuticals
   mPedigree's technology has expanded into sectors such as cosmetics, agro-inputs, and food to combat counterfeit products more broadly.

Impact & Achievements

Adoption & Reach
The mPedigree platform has been deployed across multiple African and Asian markets. Codes have been installed on hundreds of millions of medicine packets.

National Endorsements
In Ghana, the system has been adopted by national health agencies and industry organizations as a trusted authentication standard.

Lives and Health Protected
By enabling instant verification, mPedigree reduces the risks of treatment failure, poisoning, and death linked to fake drugs.

Awards & Global Recognition
mPedigree has received multiple awards for innovation and impact, and Bright Simons has been celebrated internationally for leadership and social entrepreneurship.

Challenges & Lessons

Despite its success, the journey has included hurdles:

• Manufacturer and Regulator Buy-In
  Adoption requires changes in production lines and regulatory support.

• Telecom and Infrastructure Gaps
  Limited network access in some regions can affect SMS functionality.

• Evolving Threats
  Counterfeiters continuously adapt, requiring ongoing innovation.

• Consumer Awareness
  Public education is crucial to increase use and trust in the system.

• Scaling and Sustainability
  Expansion across regions demands consistent funding and coordination.

Key Lessons:
Simplicity, public-private partnerships, adaptability, and local tailoring are critical to large-scale success.

The Future of mPedigree

Bright Simons and his team are exploring advanced tools such as digital sensors and real-time supply chain monitoring to grow beyond pharmaceuticals. The mPedigree model now inspires similar efforts in industries where authenticity is essential, including agriculture, cosmetics, and packaged goods.

His work challenges assumptions about where impactful innovation originates—proving that African entrepreneurs can create world-class solutions to global problems.

Conclusion

Bright Simons’ creation of mPedigree is a powerful example of how technology can protect lives, build trust, and transform public health. By empowering consumers to verify products instantly, mPedigree undermines counterfeit networks and strengthens supply chains. As global challenges around fake products continue, his model remains a beacon for innovation and social good.

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