SAN ANTONIO — Using artificial intelligence to detect counterfeit medication.
There's a new first-of-its-kind use for the technology and it could be a game changer in the medical field that could save countless lives. The app is an AI-based counterfeit drug detector with noise print technology that enables consumers to verify the authenticity of health products using your everyday smartphone camera.
"Patients that are looking at the lowest cost items. And unfortunately there are people that sell fraudulent items on social media, flea markets, or non-pharmacy locations," said Dr. Oscar Vela, the Director of Pharmacy Services with the Baptist Health System. There they know what to look for to tell if meds are fake, such as lot numbers being incorrect, missing inserts, and broken seals or seals with extra sealant.
But now with AI, there's another way to make sure you've got the real thing. Hugo Garcia, the CEO of Cypheme told us, "Even if you're an expert, it's not easy to spot the difference. And that's what our AI is able to do."
Interpol says more than one million people die worldwide each year from counterfeit drugs. It also says up to 30 percent of drugs sold worldwide are counterfeit. The International Crime Police Organization also found that more than 200,000 people die each year from counterfeit anti-allergy drugs alone. Garcia added, "Here you have two anti-malaria medicine. One of them will heal you. One of them might kill you."
Some of the most common counterfeit drugs are antibiotics, HIV/AIDS and cancer medication, antidepressants, weight-loss supplements, and anti-malaria medication. "There have been a massive rise of all of those in the recent years, especially post COVID," added Garcia.
But if you don't feel comfortable using an app Dr. Vela says, "I personally would go trust my community pharmacist that has all of the training that's required, as well as resources that we know are at the highest level."
Check out Cypheme's website to find out more about Noise Print AI Technology and counterfeit medication.