Indian government think tank taps blockchain to fight fake drugs

Indian government think tank NITI Aayog is seeking to leverage cutting-edge technologies to curb the rampant distribution of fake drugs in the country, The Hindu reported.

On these lines, NITI Aayog has entered into an agreement with cloud services provider Oracle, hospital chain Apollo Hospitals, and pharmaceutical manufacturer Strides Pharma Sciences. The partners will pilot a real drug supply chain that will use blockchain technology and Internet of Things (IoT) software.

“By piloting a real drug supply chain using blockchain and IoT software, they can support governments and healthcare experts to quickly detect fake drugs and aide authorities to enforce penalties on wrong-doers with easy, proof-based data,” Oracle said.

In its official release, Oracle explained that its blockchain solution permanently registers a drug’s record in the manufacturer’s drug supply chain (serial number, labelling, scanning), leaving no scope for record tampering. It provides end-to-end traceability – recording the drug’s movement at every point of hand change – from manufacturer to logistics, from stockist to hospital, or from pharmacy to consumer.

In case of a fake drug, the software will detect irregularity and notify the concerned nodal point.

“The problem of fake and counterfeit drugs is a major issue, costing the Indian pharma industry billions. At the same time, it’s putting patients at higher risk,” Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog, said. “This agreement with Oracle and our partnership with Apollo Hospitals and Strides Pharma, will help ensure all Indian drug manufacturers and healthcare experts have access to a standards-based, modern technology platform – blockchain and IoT, to help eliminate fake drug distribution.”