J&J is latest client for SMS verification specialist Sproxil

Johnson & Johnson has become the latest pharmaceutical major to sign a license with Sproxil for its SMS-based product authentication platform, according to a spokesman for the company.

J&J subsidiary Janssen-Cilag will use Sproxil's Mobile Product Authentication (MPA) system to protect its Nizoral (ketoconazole) brand antifungal tablets and creams in Nigeria, becoming the third major drugmaker to sign up for the technology.

Last week, GlaxoSmithKline announced it would use MPA to protect its antibiotic product Ampiclox 500mg (ampicillin plus cloxacillin) in Nigeria. Meanwhile, the system has already been deployed on packs of Glucophage 500mg (metformin) sold in Nigeria by Merck KGaA subsidiary Merck Sante and distributed by local company Biofem.