Blockchain for Drug Traceability in Healthcare

ABSTRACT Ensuring the authenticity and safety of pharmaceuticals is a growing concern in today’s complex and globalized healthcare supply chains. Counterfeit drugs and inefficiencies in tracking systems threaten patient health and burden healthcare providers. This paper investigates how blockchain technology can offer a reliable solution by enabling end-to-end drug traceability. With its decentralized, tamper-proof ledger, blockchain allows all stakeholders—including manufacturers, distributors, regulators, and pharmacies—to securely access and verify real-time data throughout a drug’s lifecycle. We examine key use cases, recent pilot projects, and regulatory frameworks to demonstrate how blockchain enhances transparency, reduces fraud, and improves recall management. By streamlining data sharing and strengthening accountability, blockchain not only ensures drug safety but also supports compliance with evolving healthcare regulations. This paper concludes that blockchain has strong potential to reshape pharmaceutical traceability, contributing to a safer and more efficient healthcare system