A Blockchain-Enabled Framework for Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Traceability
摘要
One of the key barriers to pharmaceutical supply chain integrity is the presence of fake medicines which threatens public health and safety. Understanding and monitoring the complex supply chain processes which has intermediaries of manufacturers and pharmacists has always been difficult due to communication and transparency gaps. This gap brings in opportunities for counterfeit medicines to the market thereby risking patients lives. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, many people were looking for a vaccine and this led to the rise of counterfeit versions of those which could deliver catastrophic results. With the aim to resolve these problems, this paper presents a blockchain based approach as a solution to enhance control of the pharmaceutical supply chain. The approach applies the use of blockchains concepts ensuring that there is improved transparency, data accuracy and traceability along the supply chain. The system proposed in this paper is based on a public, permissioned blockchain, and only authorized participants are allowed to submit and approve information so certain essential characteristics are built into the system. The Core of the challenge is therefore to implement innovative medicine supply networks that are secure and guarantee safe delivery to the patients.