Counterfeit Drug Detection in the Pharmaceutical Industry Using Blockchain

Abstract

Counterfeit drugs pose a significant threat to public health and patient safety, with the World Health Organization estimating that 10% of the global pharmaceutical market consists of fake medications. This study proposes a novel solution to combat counterfeit pharmaceuticals by leveraging blockchain technology. By establishing a secure and transparent health data network, the proposed approach aims to detect and prevent the distribution and consumption of counterfeit medicines effectively. Through the implementation of blockchain technology, a robust and trustworthy pharmaceutical supply chain can be created, enabling the tracking of drugs from manufacturing to patient consumption. This not only facilitates the immediate identification of counterfeit drugs but also impedes their further distribution. By integrating blockchain technology into the drug supply chain, stakeholders can verify the authenticity of pharmaceutical products and ensure patient safety. Moreover, the use of blockchain enhances transparency and accountability by integrating disparate databases and stakeholders.