Blockchain innovation in pharmaceutical use cases: PharmaLedger and Mytigate
Yvonne Ziegler, Vincenzo Uli, Jan Wortmann · Journal of supply chain management, logistics and procurement. · 2021
Blockchain has been often presented as a disruptive technology that affects multiple fields such as finance, supply chain management and the healthcare system. This paper, positioned in the innovation research field, aims at enriching the discussion about real use cases in the context of the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry. The work is presented as a multiple case study about two recent applications of blockchain technology, PharmaLedger and Mytigate. First, we present the implication of blockchain technology for the pharmaceutical industry value chain. Then, we discuss the specific features of both projects from multiple angles, including ecosystem, governance, and opportunities and risks. Finally, we provide the lessons learned and the implications for the case studies under investigation. Ultimately, identification of the right use case, co-creation, acceptance among stakeholders and data privacy and security seem to be the most critical success factors for the implementation of an effective blockchain operating in the pharmaceutical industry. The paper constitutes a bridge for both practitioners and researchers between the theory behind blockchain networks and its empirical applications within the pharmaceutical industry.