PharmaChain: Distributed Ledger Based Robust Solutions to Ensure Counterfeit-Free Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

Abstract

Globalization has transformed the pharmaceutical industry into a vast, interconnected network. However, this complexity has led to inefficiencies in the supply chain, with existing ERP systems struggling to keep up due to their centralized nature, resulting in a lack of transparency and increased errors. This research proposes efficient distributed ledger-based architectures to address these challenges. In Chapter 3, a new transparent supply chain architecture is introduced to eliminate blind spots and enable stakeholders to verify the authenticity of pharmaceutical products. This system creates a secure, single source of truth for the entire lifecycle of medicines, thereby eliminating counterfeits. Chapter 4 focuses on securing the cold pharmaceutical supply chain using IoT and distributed ledgers. The proposed architecture monitors and controls environmental parameters, ensuring safe drug transport. Scalability is addressed with a novel proof of authentication (PoAh) blockchain called EasyChain. In Chapter 5, the serialization of pharmaceutical products is enhanced through digital twinning, providing an efficient and cost-effective solution while complying with regulations. This research aims to create scalable and efficient pharmaceutical supply chains, reducing counterfeits and improving overall security.