PriMera Scientific Surgical Research and Practice (ISSN: 2836-0028)

Review Article

Volume 4 Issue 5

Blockchain-Based Solution for Ensuring Authenticity in the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

D Dharani, T Paul Immanuel and K Anitha Kumari*

October 30, 2024

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Abstract

Background: In the realm of pharmacology, a significant and urgent issue confronting us today is the rampant spread of counterfeit drugs. Pharmaceutical companies have faced increasing challenges in tracing products along the supply chain over the last decade, providing an entry point for counterfeiters to infiltrate markets. The proliferation of fake medications poses a serious threat to global public health, resulting in adverse effects. According to the World Health Organization, some countries experience as much as 30% of medication sales attributed to counterfeits. In less developed nations, the problem is even more severe, with one in ten medicines being identified as fraudulent or non- compliant. The detection of these counterfeits is complicated due to their intricate journey through networks, creating vulnerabilities. To effectively combat forgery, a comprehensive approach is imperative to monitor the entire delivery process. The utilization of efficient blockchain technology holds the potential to authenticate medications and safeguard public health.

Methods: This proposal introduces a pharmaceutical supply chain management system utilizing advanced Hyperledger Fabric technology to securely store medication records in a network. The framework addresses the issue of counterfeit drugs by establishing a drug ledger that meticulously records all network transactions, thereby establishing an intelligent healthcare ecosystem within the supply chain. Central to this system are smart contracts, essential components that confer specific access rights to the drug ledger. These contracts ensure that only authorized entities have control over access to sensitive information. Through the integration of Hyperledger Fabric and smart contracts, the system aims to create a supply chain characterized by transparency, resistance to tampering, and efficiency, effectively combating counterfeit drugs and enhancing the integrity of medication distribution. Ultimately, these improvements contribute to bolstering patient safety and optimizing healthcare outcomes.

Results and Conclusion: Ensuring confidentiality at the chain code layer is achieved through user-specific access controls in Attribute-based access control (ABAC). To evaluate the framework's performance, the blockchain benchmarking tool, Hyperledger Caliper, quantifies crucial metrics such as transactions per second, transaction idleness, and asset usage. This process provides valuable insights into the efficiency and effectiveness of the system.

Keywords: Private Blockchain; Hyperledger fabric; Supply chain; Chain code; Access control

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