Uganda eyes MediConnect’s drug anti-counterfeit platform

UK blockchain startup MediConnect says it has received “indicative support” from the Ugandan government to look at using its pharma supply chain system.

It’s not clear yet exactly what form that support will take, but Uganda’s President Yoweri Musevini has tweeted that he was behind the project after meeting with MediConnect chief executive Dexter Blackstock and Uebert Angel, a church leader and strategic partner of the UK firm.

Met Uebert Angel, a televangelist and businessman, who is founder of Spirit Embassy in the UK and Bro. Ronnie Makabai of ETM International Church here in Kampala. They indicated their interest to invest in tourism and pharmaceutical sectors. Government will support them. pic.twitter.com/5eMKIBFz5q

— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) July 16, 2019

MediConnect set up its blockchain-based platform – designed to track medication all the way through the supply chain from the point at which it is manufactured to its dispensing to patients – based on technology developed by distributed ledger technology (DLT) specialist Stratis.

The company is running a pilot on behalf of the UK Addiction Safeguarding Committee (ASC) that will see its blockchain system used to trace medicines dispensed at eight to 10 private and NHS pharmacies.