Pharmachain: Blockchain-Based Framework for Efficient Counterfeit Drug Detection and Recall

Abstract

This paper has introduced PharmaChain framework, which aims to improve counterfeit drug detection and drug recalls in the pharmaceutical supply chain. The framework leverages Ethereum, smart contracts and Interplanetary File System, to manage drug lifecycle phases manufacturing, quality control, complaint handling, fault testing and return and disposal. Using the Ethereum test network, a real-time implementation of the system is demonstrated with metrics at the various operational stages. From experiments, the throughput and latency of the framework against batch sizes are comparatively tested, and results show the system’s average latency was 0.06 seconds and throughput was 152.5 TPS, when processing a single transaction. At a batch size of 50, the framework was still able to function with an average latency of 1.93 seconds and throughput at 10.1 TPS. The implications of the PharmaChain framework point to its efficacy in improving the pharmaceutical supply chain by providing an immutable and transparent setting with built-in drug recall automation. In addition, this research emphasizes the scalability and adaptability potential of the proposed system without compromising the system-level data privacy and security.