Drug tracing in the healthcare supply chain using distributed ledger technology

Abstract

Traditional systems are typically unreliable and prone to fraud, putting patient safety at risk. To solve these issues, this work proposes a blockchain-based drug tracing system that improves security, trust, and efficiency. This paper examines the use application of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), particularly blockchain, to improve drug traceability in the healthcare distribution network. Blockchain technology ensures immutability, transparency, and decentralization, allowing stakeholders to securely track drugs from manufacturing to end-user consumption. Results indicate that blockchain-based supply chains improved drug traceability with an accuracy of up to 92, significantly reducing the risk of counterfeit drug infiltration. Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) ensures secure and transparent drug traceability by providing tamper-proof recordkeeping, real-time tracking, and stakeholder verification. This greatly minimizes counterfeit drug risks and strengthens trust in the pharmaceutical distribution network.