Blockchain for Combating Pharmaceutical Drug Counterfeiting and Cold Chain Distribution

Abstract

In recent years, pharmaceutical drug traceability systems have been developed as critical tools for improving the digital supply chain's transparency and visibility. Blockchain-based drug traceability proposes a promising solution to create a distributed shared data platform for an irreversible, trustworthy, reliable, and transparent system. This article provides a thorough analysis and summary of the current state of drug traceability distribution research on the blockchain platform by using Hyperledger febric and Hyperledger Besu methodologies. Blockchain based platform, Hyperledger Fabric and Besu meets essential needs for drug traceability such as privacy, dependability, transparency, security, authorization, authentication, and scalability. The Hyperledger Fabric blockchain platform executes drug transactions proficiently and securely in the supply chains within a distributed network of stakeholders. This fabric-enabled private, permissioned distributed network comprising various pharmaceutical stakeholder groups aids in the efficient and secure execution of medication in supply chain transactions. This study also examines the impact of blockchain technology in the healthcare system while exhibiting how some features of this disruptive technology have the potential to transform existing cold chain and drug traceability processes. Blockchain technology embraces significant benefits in the processes of pharmaceutical drug serialization, protecting IoT devices, and ensuring temper-proof transaction sharing. Blockchain is also a potential solution to make use of IoT-enabled vehicles and warehouses for cold chain transportation by using smart sensors to capture critical temperature data. Blockchain-enabled IoT sensors in the cold chain ensure the secure transportation of drugs to pharmaceutical stakeholders in the supply chain network.