Leveraging Permissioned Blockchain for securing controlled drug prescriptions in India

The pharmaceutical industry in India grapples with challenges related to the unauthorized procurement of controlled drugs listed in Schedule H and beyond, often due to the absence of genuine prescriptions or the use of invalid ones. In response, this paper proposes a targeted permissioned blockchain-based solution to ensure the authenticity and validity of prescriptions for such controlled medication. By integrating blockchain technology, the system provides a secure and transparent platform for issuing prescriptions by authentic doctors and verifying them by authorized pharmacists. The inclusion of nodal authorities, responsible for implementing the Drug and Cosmetic Act and its rules, as validators in the Proof of Authority (PoA) consensus incentivizes them to adopt this model. By employing PoA, the benefits of blockchain as a decentralized ledger can be utilized, along with fast transaction approvals and high scalability. Our approach not only mitigates the risks associated with privacy concerns of patient information but also enhances accountability and trust within the healthcare ecosystem. The paper surveys the present research regarding application of blockchain based prescription systems across the world, and discusses the feasibility of such a system in the Indian context.