The pharmaceutical industry has been going through a seismic shift as digital pharmacies are changing how patients receive their medications. In an era where convenience is king, the ability to have prescriptions filled online and delivered straight to the doorstep is a welcome evolution for many. However, as with any significant change, this new model introduces complexities, and with each handoff from manufacturer to patient, risks arise. The solution, however, may lie in the sophisticated realm of artificial intelligence (AI), which holds promise for securing the pharmaceutical supply chain against counterfeits and contamination.
The Rise of Digital Pharmacies
Digital pharmacies have capitalized on the intersection of technological advancements and consumer demand for convenience. No longer do patients need to wait in line at the local drugstore; instead, they can have their prescriptions processed, filled, and delivered without leaving their homes. This service is particularly beneficial for the elderly, those with chronic conditions requiring regular medication, and people living in remote areas. Moreover, the integration of telehealth services has streamlined the process of obtaining prescriptions, further embedding digital pharmacies into the healthcare routine of millions.
Added Complexity Equals Added Risk
Each step in the delivery process adds layers of complexity that can increase the risk of counterfeit products infiltrating the supply chain. These risks aren’t just theoretical; they have real-world implications for patient safety. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1 in 10 medical products in low- and middle-income countries is substandard or falsified. This problem isn’t confined to developing nations; developed countries are also at risk, as their increasingly complex supply chains offer more opportunities for illicit activities.
Traditional security measures like serialization and secure packaging are crucial, but they may not be enough. For instance, a medication could be tampered with or stored improperly during transit, leading to reduced efficacy or, worse, harm to the patient. Additionally, the more intermediaries involved in the distribution process, the harder it is to track the origin and handling of medications, increasing the risk of counterfeit goods entering the market.

AI: The Guardian of the Supply Chain
The challenges of securing the supply chain might seem daunting, but AI presents a powerful tool to enhance protection against counterfeits. AI systems can be trained to scrutinize vast amounts of data to identify patterns and anomalies that would be invisible to human analysts. For instance, machine learning algorithms can monitor and analyze patterns across the supply chain to group identical counterfeits
Moreover, AI can improve the traceability of drugs by analyzing and managing serialization data, ensuring that each pill can be tracked back to its source. Image recognition technologies can inspect and verify medications and packaging at various points in the supply chain, flagging any discrepancies for further investigation.
These AI-driven systems can also be integrated with existing security measures to create a multi-layered defense strategy.
The expansion of digital pharmacies is a testament to the digital transformation of healthcare. Market statistics highlight not only the rapid adoption of digital pharmacy services but also the escalating complexity and associated risks within the pharmaceutical supply chain. As these trends continue, leveraging advanced technologies like AI for counterfeit detection becomes not just innovative but essential. AI is poised to be the linchpin in ensuring the safety and integrity of pharmaceuticals, providing reassurance that the convenience of home delivery does not come at the expense of quality or patient safety.
We had the privilege of sitting down with Tuomas Kannas, Co-Founder & Senior Vice President of TrueMed, who also represents the Finnish Anti-Counterfeiting Group (FACG) on the board of the Global Anti-Counterfeiting Group (GACG).
Tuomas, could you start by telling us a bit about what the GACG is and its primary objectives?
Tuomas Kannas: Certainly. The Global Anti-Counterfeiting Group, or GACG for short, is an international network of national and regional IP protection and enforcement organizations covering more than 50 countries. Our members consist of nonprofit associations of IP rights holders and their representatives. The primary objectives of GACG revolve around three key areas:
- Coordinating International Activities: GACG’s goal is to align the efforts of its members, especially concerning interactions with international governmental organizations.
- Producing Research and Reports: We are dedicated to generating comprehensive research and reports that shed light on the international dimensions of counterfeit trade, creating public awareness.
- Exchanging Best Practices: GACG fosters the exchange of best practices among its members, aiding in the establishment of national and other anti-counterfeiting groups.
How does the GACG measure the success or impact of your anti-counterfeiting efforts?
Tuomas Kannas: We have several criteria to gauge the success or impact of our anti-counterfeiting initiatives: The visibility of our joint campaigns, reports, and initiatives is a clear indicator of engagement and effectiveness. Input from member organizations and external stakeholders provides insights into the effectiveness of our efforts. We also consider the influence and effect of legislative changes or reports in question as important metrics of success.
Over the years, how do you believe the landscape of counterfeiting and intellectual property rights enforcement has changed?
Tuomas Kannas: The landscape has certainly evolved. Priorities have shifted, and collaboration between public and private entities has become more robust and official. There’s also a heightened understanding of the complexity of counterfeiting issues across different countries and sectors of society.
Could you tell us how the Global Anti-Counterfeiting Group collaborates with other international organizations, national governments, and private corporations in its anti-counterfeiting initiatives?
Tuomas Kannas: GACG collaborates with various international organizations, national governments, and private corporations by sharing our expertise, providing consultation, and offering statements and recommendations for international initiatives and stakeholders.
Given the varying legal structures and enforcement capabilities among different countries, what strategies does your organization use to effectively enforce IPR internationally?
Tuomas Kannas: It’s important to clarify that GACG doesn’t enforce; rather, it’s the member organizations’ right holders and law enforcement agencies that carry out enforcement activities.
Looking forward, what emerging trends or potential challenges do you anticipate in the field of global anti-counterfeiting?
Tuomas Kannas: Counterfeiters are becoming more adept at creating sophisticated production, logistics, and sales capabilities. They quickly adapt to changes in demand, enforcement, and disruptions. Production is increasingly decentralized, happening in smaller and movable facilities, with a surge in digital sales platforms. In response, anti-counterfeiting efforts need to focus on consistent data, shared intelligence, stricter legislation, and coordinated operations both online and offline.
As a board member, what are your personal priorities or areas of focus for the group?
Tuomas Kannas: My personal priorities include fostering more coordinated actions and continuous communication between GACG members. I aim for broader international visibility and tangible results in our anti-counterfeiting efforts.
How does your group plan to increase awareness about the importance of anti-counterfeiting measures among the public and businesses?
Tuomas Kannas: We plan to achieve this by creating and sharing engaging campaigns, reports, and knowledge with relevant stakeholders and the media. It’s also important to mention that the passion our members have for the anti-counterfeiting cause itself plays a pivotal role in driving these efforts.
What kind of technological advancements are you exploring or planning to use to improve IPR enforcement?
Tuomas Kannas: GACG member organizations, their members, and key external stakeholders continually monitor and explore technological advancements in the IPR enforcement landscape. We aim to share this knowledge in the future to improve our collective efforts.
Finally, what programs or initiatives are you most excited about in the coming months or years?
Tuomas Kannas: I’m particularly excited about several upcoming programs, including EMPACT in Europe, the OECD illicit trade group, and programs conducted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). These initiatives hold significant promise in our ongoing battle against counterfeiting.
To learn more about the GACG visit: https://www.gacg.org/
[Helsinki, 30/05/2023] – TrueMed, a leading provider of anti-counterfeiting technology solutions, is pleased to announce the availability of its innovative platform on the SAP Store. This collaboration with SAP, a global leader in enterprise software, marks a significant milestone in the quest for enhanced safety and detailed authentication of pharmaceutical products.
TrueMed’s cutting-edge methods address cases with highly accurate optical detection, surpassing and enhancing the capabilities of standard serialization processes. The advanced technology can be seamlessly integrated into existing business processes and is applicable to both serialized and non-serialized products, providing a comprehensive solution for various scenarios. End-users can easily perform the product authentication with a mobile device.
Jyrki Berg, CEO of TrueMed, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to offer our innovative product authentication solutions through the SAP Store. This collaboration opens new possibilities for the safety and detailed authentication of pharmaceutical products. By leveraging TrueMed’s advanced AI-technology, businesses can enhance efficiency and ensure superior quality control.”
Florian Heretsch, VP and Head of Mobile Experience & Engineering at SAP, emphasized the potential of the joint SAP/TrueMed offering, stating, “With the addition of TrueMed to the SAP Store, we can introduce a remarkable transformation in the product protection and analysis industry. By integrating AI-based visual authentication and seamlessly merging with current serialization implementations, we can deliver integrated, next-generation solutions that augment SAP’s mobile experience. This partnership empowers our customers to achieve unprecedented levels of safety and accuracy in product authentication.”
TrueMed’s cloud-based SaaS offering is now globally accessible to all SAP customers through the SAP Store. By incorporating TrueMed’s technology into SAP’s comprehensive ecosystem, businesses can drive significant cost savings and enhance efficiency in product authentication and detection processes, without the need for expensive factory processes.
For more information about TrueMed’s advanced track and trace solutions, please visit the SAP Store or contact the TrueMed team directly.
About TrueMed.
TrueMed is a leading provider of anti-counterfeiting technology solutions for the life science sector. The company’s AI-enabled platform uses cutting-edge technology to analyze and identify potential counterfeit products, allowing life science companies to quickly and efficiently protect their brands and customers.
For more information, please visit truemedinc.com.
Contact: Tuomas Kannas, TrueMed, tuomas.kannas@truemedinc.com
TrueMed – Add Nothing, Protect Anything
Counterfeiting is over a trillion-dollar market annually. Earnings are made by criminals instead of brand owners. Counterfeit medicine is responsible for the deaths of over a million people every year. Monetary loss for societies when combined with all the side impacts is calculated to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars.
TrueMed is the first counterfeit detection system in the world that does not add anything to the product or product package. Our solution is for professionals and consumers. It works on a smartphone without any extra hardware.
We are looking for Full Stack Developers to help save lives and fight against this global problem.
With TrueMed, you have an opportunity to make the world safer. Together with brands, governments and consumers we can eliminate illicit goods and counterfeits from the supply chains.
Our customers are the biggest pharmaceutical companies and leading government agencies in the world.
Job brief
TrueMed is growing and needs more smart people to lead the charge in developing our web platform. This position will introduce you to the existing TrueMed stack with a long-term goal of graduating you to the lead developer of the stack.
We require strong proficiency in the following:
- Javascript
- Python
Good grasp of project management and productivity tools:
- Jira
- Git
- Confluence
Experience with the following is a significant plus
- Project management
- Material design
- Vue.js
- Flask
- SQLAlchemy
- AWS (EC2, CodeDeploy, SQS, SNS, Fargate, CDK, CloudFormation)
What we offer you
A competitive salary with benefits and a supportive working community. All our employees are owners of the company. This opportunity is also available to you.
You can work at our offices in Espoo and Palo Alto or remotely if you prefer that.
Employee benefits includes
- Employee stock option plan
- High quality healthcare
- Phone and internet connection
- Flexible and agreeable working location (hybrid)
- Tools preferred and required (computer, mobile phone etc.)
- Relocation assistance
Join us and apply
To apply please send your CV to the email below by March 31st 2023.
For further information, please contact COO Oskari Heikel, +358 50 5916085, oskari.heikel@truemedinc.com.
About TrueMed
TrueMed is the world’s first non-additive product protection solution for instantly detecting counterfeit products, globally. Our mission is to save lives, societies, and revenue. TrueMed is also the first counterfeit detection solution that can identify counterfeit packages, bottles, pills and other objects by using proprietary Artificial Intelligence algorithms through a powerful software-based platform. TrueMed enables every mobile phone to be a powerful counterfeit scanner. TrueMed was founded in 2019 and is based in Espoo, Finland and is also located in Palo Alto, California, US. Read more at truemedinc.com
TrueMed – Add Nothing, Protect Anything
Counterfeiting is over a trillion-dollar market annually. Earnings are made by criminals instead of brand owners. Counterfeit medicine is responsible for the deaths of over a million people every year. Monetary loss for societies when combined with all the side impacts is calculated to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars.
TrueMed is the first counterfeit detection system in the world that does not add anything to the product or product package. Our solution is for professionals and consumers. It works on a smartphone without any extra hardware.
We are looking for Senior Cloud Engineers to help save lives and fight against this global problem.
With TrueMed, you have an opportunity to make the world safer. Together with brands, governments and consumers we can eliminate illicit goods and counterfeits from the supply chains.
Our customers are the biggest pharmaceutical companies and leading government agencies in the world.
Job brief
We are currently hiring a Senior Cloud Engineer to join our engineering team to build and maintain a secure and robust cloud-based infrastructure.
Senior Cloud Engineer responsibilities include:
- Designing, building and managing highly secure, scalable and available architectures
- Configuring cloud infrastructure components
- Creating the applications and databases that perform on the cloud
- Monitoring cloud management and data storage services
- Stay current with latest developments in the field
- Extend and improve existing software and frameworks
Requirements and skills
- Proven experience as a Cloud Engineer or similar role
- Proficiency with AWS services and infrastructure.
- Experience in Automating Infrastructure deployment
- Experience with DevOps
- Understanding of data structures, data modelling and software architecture
- Programming languages:
Python, JavaScript - Database proficiency:
MySQL, elasticsearch as plus - OS and server management:
Linux, Windows - Cloud:
AWS
Cloud architecture
S3, EC2, ECS, Lambda, EKS, SQS, SNS, CloudWatch, Billing management and cost optimization, EFS, RDS - Cloud orchestration:
CDK, CloudFormation - CI/CD:
Bitbucket + codepipeline
Jenkins or other tools as a plus - Others:
Data analysis
Data modelling
Data Reconciliation
System security and ability to work with multiple compliancy needs - Ability to work in a team
- Outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills
What we offer you
A competitive salary with benefits and a supportive working community. All our employees are owners of the company. This opportunity is also available to you.
You can work at our offices in Espoo and Palo Alto or remotely if you prefer that.
Employee benefits includes
- Employee stock option plan
- High quality healthcare
- Phone and internet connection
- Flexible and agreeable working location (hybrid)
- Tools preferred and required (computer, mobile phone etc.)
- Relocation assistance
Join us and apply
To apply please send your CV to the email below by December 31st 2022.
For further information, please contact COO Oskari Heikel, +358 50 5916085, oskari.heikel@truemedinc.com.
About TrueMed
TrueMed is the world’s first non-additive product protection solution for instantly detecting counterfeit products, globally. Our mission is to save lives, societies, and revenue. TrueMed is also the first counterfeit detection solution that can identify counterfeit packages, bottles, pills and other objects by using proprietary Artificial Intelligence algorithms through a powerful software-based platform. TrueMed enables every mobile phone to be a powerful counterfeit scanner. TrueMed was founded in 2019 and is based in Espoo, Finland and is also located in Palo Alto, California, US. Read more at truemedinc.com
We’re thrilled to announce that Gartner has named TrueMed a “Cool Vendor” in its prestigious report, Cool Vendors in AI Governance and Responsible AI. This recognition highlights our innovative approach to counterfeit detection through AI, reinforcing our commitment to advancing responsible AI practices. As counterfeit goods continue to proliferate globally, TrueMed’s selection underlines the urgent need for reliable, AI-driven solutions to protect industries and consumers alike.
Why TrueMed?
With counterfeit goods making up over 5% of global trade, the impact on consumer safety, brand integrity, and market trust is profound. TrueMed’s AI platform offers a highly accessible, cost-efficient method for detecting and investigating counterfeit products across multiple sectors, including pharmaceuticals, electronics, and cosmetics. What sets TrueMed apart is our mobile-based TrueMed Scanner, turning any smartphone into a powerful counterfeit detection tool without the need for specialized equipment. This accessibility is particularly beneficial for small and midsize businesses that previously lacked the resources for advanced counterfeit detection.
Addressing Counterfeits with AI Innovation
At TrueMed, we believe that effective counterfeit detection must be both proactive and scalable. Our technology not only identifies counterfeit items but also tracks and analyzes patterns to uncover the root causes and sources of these illicit products. This broader analysis empowers manufacturers, distributors, and even law enforcement agencies to respond to the counterfeit threat with actionable insights.
Our inclusion in Gartner’s report reaffirms that AI’s potential to address counterfeit goods is not just a technological feat but a societal responsibility. As we expand our reach, we’re driven by the goal of reducing counterfeit products and fostering a safer marketplace.
The Road Ahead
Gartner’s selection is a significant milestone for TrueMed, as it validates our approach to responsible AI and highlights the importance of governance in the field. We’re dedicated to continuous improvement and innovation, ensuring that our platform evolves with the growing needs of our clients and industry trends.
Thank you to Gartner for recognizing TrueMed, and to our partners and clients who inspire us to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in AI for good. Together, we’re making strides in the fight against counterfeits and advancing toward a safer, more transparent future.
TrueMed – Add Nothing, Protect Anything
Counterfeiting is over a trillion-dollar market annually. Earnings are made by criminals instead of brand owners. Counterfeit medicine is responsible for the deaths of over a million people every year. Monetary loss for societies when combined with all the side impacts is calculated to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars.
TrueMed is the first counterfeit detection system in the world that does not add anything to the product or product package. Our solution is for professionals and consumers. It works on a smartphone without any extra hardware.
We are looking for mobile software developers to help save lives and fight this global problem.
With TrueMed, you have an opportunity to make the world safer. Together with brands, governments and consumers we can eliminate illicit goods and counterfeits from the supply chains.
Our customers are the biggest pharmaceutical companies and leading government agencies in the world.
Job brief
You will be developing and maintaining one or two native SDK libraries (iOS and Android) depending on your capabilities, as well as one cross-platform core app built using Flutter, which integrates both libraries.
Development is focused on iOS first. Features developed for iOS are carried over to Android when possible.
Requirements and skills
- Experienced in either iOS or Android development, preferably capable of both
- Experience with cross-platform frameworks e.g. Flutter
- iOS
- Swift and UIKit
- Understanding layout constraints and programmatic UI generation
- Understanding delegates and closures
- SwiftUI, reactive programming, state binding
- Native camera frameworks (AVFoundation framework)
- Basic Objective-C
- Android
- Java and XML UI
- Camera2 and CameraX
- Jetpack Compose and Kotlin
- Gradle build scripting
- Building frameworks that can be used internally and/or distributed to clients
- Experience with distribution and analytics platforms
- Firebase
- TestFlight
- App Store Connect
- Google Play
- Experience with image processing solutions, notably OpenCV
- Good English communication skills
- Source control using Git
- C++ is a plus
- Tensorflow is a plus
- Experience with lean development paradigm is a plus
- Experience with build pipelines and automated testing (eg. Unit testing) is a plus
Responsibilities include
- Developing and maintaining a Flutter cross-platform app
- Developing and maintaining an iOS SDK and/or developing and maintaining an Android SDK
- Refactoring software architecture towards a unified approach
- Creating build pipelines
- Creating test cases
What we offer you
A competitive salary with benefits and a supportive working community. All our employees are owners of the company. This opportunity is also available to you.
You can work at our offices in Espoo and Palo Alto or remotely if you prefer that.
Join us and apply
To apply please send your CV to the email below by April 25th 2022.
For further information, please contact COO Oskari Heikel, +358 50 5916085, oskari.heikel@truemedinc.com.
About TrueMed
TrueMed is the world’s first non-additive product protection solution for instantly detecting counterfeit products, globally. Our mission is to save lives, societies, and revenue. TrueMed is also the first counterfeit detection solution that can identify counterfeit packages, bottles, pills and other objects by using proprietary Artificial Intelligence algorithms through a powerful software-based platform. TrueMed enables every mobile phone to be a powerful counterfeit scanner. TrueMed was founded in 2019 and is based in Espoo, Finland and is also located in Palo Alto, California, US. Read more at truemedinc.com
Espoo, Finland, March 2022 –TrueMed announced it has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T). The goal of the CRADA is to test and evaluate TrueMed’s capability for identifying illicit substances, such as fentanyl.
“This CRADA provides TrueMed with an accelerated path for demonstrating our capabilities in illicit substance detection”, says Jyrki Berg, CEO and Co-founder of TrueMed. “Our collaboration will enable a new method for detecting illicit substances in large volumes in the field, instantly and safely”.
The purpose of this CRADA is to provide a mechanism for TrueMed and DHS to obtain data on a variety of illicit opioid powders as pure forms and in mixtures, as well as precursors and common adulterants, and for DHS to evaluate the potential of the TrueMed system to address Program and Component needs.
“This CRADA enables our teams to get access to samples of illicit substances to train our artificial intelligence, while building a collaborative relationship with laboratory and law enforcement stakeholders”, says Tuomas Kannas, SVP and Co-founder of TrueMed.
About TrueMed
TrueMed is developing an optical detection system for detecting goods in the illicit trade. Our mission is to save lives, societies, and revenues. TrueMed enables every mobile phone to be a powerful scanner for detecting illicit goods.
TrueMed was founded in 2019 and is based in Finland and Palo Alto, California, US. Read more at truemedinc.com
This publication is based upon work conducted under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Cooperative Research and Development Agreement No. 21-MCS-031
Disclaimer. “The views and/or conclusions contained in this document are those of the author(s) and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and do not constitute a DHS endorsement of the equipment tested or evaluated.”
TrueMed – Add Nothing, Protect Anything
Counterfeiting is over a trillion-dollar market annually. Earnings are made by criminals instead of brand owners. Counterfeit medicine is responsible for the deaths of over a million people every year. Monetary loss for societies when combined with all the side impacts is calculated to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars.
TrueMed is the first counterfeit detection system in the world that does not add anything to the product or product package. Our solution is for professionals and consumers. It works on a smartphone without any extra hardware.
We are looking for machine learning engineers to help save lives and fight against this global problem.
With TrueMed, you have an opportunity to make the world safer. Together with brands, governments and consumers we can eliminate illicit goods and counterfeits from the supply chains.
Our customers are the biggest pharmaceutical companies and leading government agencies in the world.
Job brief
You will be tasked to develop new and existing machine learning and computer vision solutions. To do this job successfully, you need exceptional skills in mathematics and programming, together with deep rooted curiosity for developing and testing cutting edge AI.
We expect a hands-on approach to bringing systems from bleeding-edge research to operational prototypes and into client-facing production.
Machine Learning Engineer responsibilities include:
- Designing and developing machine learning systems
- Planning and running test cases
- Perform statistical analysis on generated data
- Generating and curating datasets
- Producing and re-training deep learning models
- Preparing developed solutions for deployment
- Study and develop data science prototypes
- Stay current with latest developments in the field
- Extend and improve existing software and frameworks
Requirements and skills
- Proven experience as a Machine Learning Engineer or similar role
- Understanding of data structures, data modelling and software architecture
- Deep knowledge of math, geometry, probability, statistics and algorithms
- Ability to write robust code in Python
- Familiarity with machine learning frameworks (Tensorflow and/or PyTorch)
- Experience developing algorithms for image and video processing is a plus
- Ability to work in a team
- Outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills
- BSc in Computer Science, Mathematics or similar field; Master’s degree is a plus
- Knowledge in cloud computing is a plus
- Knowledge of physics is a plus
What we offer you
A competitive salary with benefits and a supportive working community. All our employees are owners of the company. This opportunity is also available to you.
You can work at our offices in Espoo and Palo Alto or remotely if you prefer that.
Join us and apply
To apply please send your CV to the email below by April 25th 2022.
For further information, please contact COO Oskari Heikel, +358 50 5916085, oskari.heikel@truemedinc.com.
About TrueMed
TrueMed is the world’s first non-additive product protection solution for instantly detecting counterfeit products, globally. Our mission is to save lives, societies, and revenue. TrueMed is also the first counterfeit detection solution that can identify counterfeit packages, bottles, pills and other objects by using proprietary Artificial Intelligence algorithms through a powerful software-based platform. TrueMed enables every mobile phone to be a powerful counterfeit scanner. TrueMed was founded in 2019 and is based in Espoo, Finland and is also located in Palo Alto, California, US. Read more at truemedinc.com
TrueMed is proud to announce that we delivered our non-additive authentication technology for PharmaLedger’s Anti-Counterfeiting use case.
PharmaLedger, a public-private project with 29 members under the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI), has successfully concluded its second year. The goal of the PharmaLedger is to provide a widely trusted platform that supports the design and adoption of blockchain-enabled healthcare solutions while accelerating delivery of innovation that benefits the entire ecosystem, from manufacturers to patients.
TrueMed is looking forward to continue its ongoing collaboration with PharmaLedger in making the world a safer place in 2022.
Read the full press release here.
