Blockchain-Powered Authentication and Supply Chain Integration to Combat Counterfeit Drugs
M. Anuradha, Mohana Kumar S, Shankarmma, M Chaithra, K Meghana, H R Sanvi · 2024
Counterfeit drugs pose a significant threat to public health and undermine the integrity of pharmaceutical supply chains globally. This research explores a novel application of blockchain technology to authenticate pharmaceutical products and enhance transparency for end users. Although blockchain has been utilized in pharmaceutical supply chains, our study introduces an innovative approach focusing on blockchain-powered authentication mechanisms, such as unique identifiers and cryptographic verification. These mechanisms enable end users to verify the product authenticity of the drug by entering provided identifiers on the company's application. If the identifier fails to display the expected information, it indicates that the product may be counterfeit. Moreover, users can access comprehensive details about the product's journey, including manufacturing, storage conditions, and distribution, promoting transparency and trust. The displayed information is securely extracted from the blockchain-driven supply chain, ensuring data integrity and authenticity, while confidential data remains protected. Through an in-depth analysis of literature, case studies, and implementation strategies, this research demonstrates the potential of blockchain-driven solutions to mitigate counterfeit drug risks. The findings highlight the importance of stakeholder collaboration in leveraging blockchain technology for authentication and transparency, ultimately safeguarding public health and building trust with end users.