Blockchain-Enabled Solutions for the Pharmaceutical Industry

21Counterfeit Drug Prevention Through Blockchain

Dhara Patel^1*, Grishma Patel¹, Vivek Patel^2,3 and Jayvadan K. Patel⁴

¹Pioneer Pharmacy College, Vadodara, Gujarat, India

²Apex Professional University, Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, India

³Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Vadodara, Gujarat, India

⁴Viesain Pharma, LLC, GA, USA

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a great deal of concern around drug counterfeiting. Production and distribution of fake and falsified drugs are prohibited and pose a risk to public health. Depending on how strictly a nation’s laws and processes are adhered to, the severity of this issue varies greatly between nations. Thus, stopping the production of fake medications has become crucial, particularly in developing and impoverished nations. A survey indicated that the bogus medication industry is worth $10 billion annually. The WHO also estimates that phony medications kill one million people annually. False drug distribution is a serious problem. Imperfect supply chains are a major contributing factor to medicine counterfeiting. Our medicine supply chain is riddled with flaws. In the current supply chain environment, either very little or irrelevant information is exchanged throughout the hand-off process or none at all, which has resulted in counterfeiting. Over the last few years, there has been a considerable increase in the number of pharmaceutical drug frauds, resulting in thousands of victims suffering from poisoning, untreated ailments, ...