Marie Stopes turns to mPedigree for tracking technology

Sexual health charity Marie Stopes is adding unique identifying codes to contraceptives and other family planning products in Nigeria.

The codes - supplied by mPedigree - will allow critical products to be authenticated and registered after receipt or purchase, either by texting a code or scanning with a smartphone.

The platform is based on mPedigree's Goldkeys serialization engine and EarlySensor technologies, and it will be applied to products such as oral and injectable contraceptives, condoms, implants

"By logging and registering these reproductive health products and supplies, millions of customers and beneficiaries will be able to instantly confirm the authenticity, originality, and other critical information about these vital items," said mPedigree in a statement.

Use of the codes will help reduce risks such as counterfeiting, package tampering, illegal repacking, and mislabelling, it added.

Since starting operations in Nigeria in 2009, Marie Stopes has provided a range of reproductive health services, including family planning services, emergency contraception, pre- and post-natal care, diagnosis and treatment of sexually-transmitted infections, pregnancy testing, voluntary counselling and testing for HIV, ultrasound and laboratory services. In 2014 the charity helped prevent 179,000 unsafe abortions from being performed.

Country director Effiom Effiom, said: "We have sought to embrace innovations that enhance operational efficiencies, bolster the quality of our interventions, and greatly enrich the experience of our products and services for customers and clients."

"This push into digital, and mobile especially, marks yet another milestone for Marie Stopes' exceptionally successful focus on our customers' evolving needs in Nigeria."