Revolutionising the Pharmaceutical Raw Material Supply Chain - The Role of Blockchain Applications
The raw material supply chain is crucial in the complex pharmaceutical sector for ensuring that high-quality, efficient medications get to the final user. But there are several difficulties in this industry, from quality control issues to traceability problems. The need for effective, safe, and transparent supply chain management has never been stronger due to the rising worldwide demand for medicines.
Ensuring the traceability of components is one of the main difficulties in the supply chain for pharmaceutical raw materials. Tracking the origin and route of every ingredient can sometimes be difficult due to the worldwide nature of the industry, which involves several suppliers in various areas. A common anticoagulant like warfarin, for example, has a complicated supply chain with many phases of synthesis that may all occur in various places. The traceability of such a substance must be guaranteed in order to uphold quality standards and guarantee patient safety. However, traditional supply chain techniques sometimes find it difficult to offer this degree of openness.
Along with traceability, quality control is a major issue in the supply chain for pharmaceutical raw materials. The vulnerability in the raw material quality assurance process was brought to light in 2018 by the discovery of nitrosamine, a possible carcinogen, in numerous batches of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). Different businesses' medications had nitrosamines, which suggests a widespread problem with the raw ingredients or the production process. Major recalls were triggered by this occurrence, which raised questions about the security of pharmaceutical items and the efficacy of present quality control procedures.
In this context, blockchain-based applications like ServBlock offer a promising solution. By leveraging blockchain's immutable, distributed ledger technology, ServBlock provides a secure and transparent platform for tracking raw materials from their point of origin to the final product.
In the case of warfarin, for instance, each stage of synthesis could be logged onto the blockchain, creating a digital twin of the physical supply chain. This digital twin would allow stakeholders at every point in the chain to verify the origin and quality of the raw materials, ensuring a high level of traceability and transparency that is not feasible with traditional methods.
ServBlock also enhances quality control processes by facilitating the trusted exchange of laboratory data. Through the platform, quality control results can be securely shared and verified across the supply chain. For example, if nitrosamine contamination were to occur in a batch of raw materials, this information could be rapidly and securely disseminated to all stakeholders, allowing for prompt action to prevent affected drugs from reaching the market.
ServBlock's groundbreaking proof of location service introduces an additional layer of security and trust in the supply chain. By integrating cutting-edge location certification, ServBlock can verify the geographical location of a user or asset involved in a transaction, further ensuring the authenticity and compliance of raw materials.
At Servblock we know the pharmaceutical raw material supply chain is ripe for disruption. Challenges related to traceability and quality control, as illustrated by the cases of warfarin and nitrosamines, necessitate a shift from traditional methods to innovative solutions like ServBlock. By harnessing the power of blockchain technology, applications like ServBlock can significantly enhance transparency, security, and efficiency in the pharmaceutical raw material supply chain, ultimately leading to safer and more effective pharmaceutical products for consumers.
