Sproxil, which enables users in the developing world to authenticate drugs via SMS before purchasing them, says it has now processed more than five million verifications.

Its customers include global pharma giants, as well as smaller, local distributors and manufacturers across Africa and India. In addition, Sproxil numbers mobile operators among its customers, including Bharti Airtel.

The company’s service can also be applied to other areas include authenticating automotive parts, healthy & beauty products, food & drink and textiles & clothing.

It says it took almost two years to reach one million verifications but only a further seven months to double that figure. In April 2013, Sproxil hit four million verifications and months later it has hit the five million mark.

Before purchasing a product, such as box of medicine, a user scratches a label that reveals a one-time use code. They then text the code to a secure number that is provided on the product’s packaging. The user receives a rapid response via text whether the product is genuine or not. Or users can call Sproxil’s support desk to establish authenticity by speaking to someone in their local language.