Emerging Technologies in the Fight Against Drug Counterfeiting - A Survey of Security Measures
Bagannagari Sai Teja, Baru Charita Sri, Gandam Vindya, Ch. Madhu Babu · 2023
Drug counterfeiting poses a significant challenge on a global scale. Countless lives are lost every year due to the distribution and consumption of fake medicines. Traditional technologies and methods have been employed in the past to combat this issue; however, they fall short with regards to traceability, transparency, security, and quality assurance. As a result, stakeholders have lost trust in these methods, leading to a significant trust deficit. To overcome these challenges, we propose a solution that leverages emerging and existing technologies such as blockchain, machine learning, quantum computation, and virtual simulation. These technologies can be used to enhance security by creating unbreakable encryption codes and a tracking system using the Internet of Things (IoT). The use of blockchain technology can provide a decentralized and secure system that enables the tracking of drugs from the manufacturer to the end consumer. The system can ensure the authenticity of drugs, prevent counterfeiting, and provide transparency to stakeholders. By leveraging machine learning, we can analyze vast amounts of data and identify patterns that can help detect counterfeit drugs. Quantum computation can provide advanced encryption, making it virtually impossible for hackers to break the system. Lastly, virtual simulation can be used to test the authenticity of drugs, allowing for quick and accurate quality assurance. By utilizing these technologies, we can significantly improve security measures far better than previous traditional technologies. The proposed solution can ensure the safety and quality of drugs, which can ultimately save lives.