Rebuilding Pharmacy One Block at a Time

Nova Southeastern University, Davie, Florida, USA

Overview: Pharmacy methodology is ready for change. As we dive into the world of big data, machine learning and artificial intelligence, older practices have become less efficient. As pharmacy innovation continues to press forward, older methods of conducting various functions must be addressed. The goal in this current medical landscape is more personalized medicine with the hope of optimizing therapy. Currently, drug prices are rising, clinical trials are feeling the effects of being on a time and financial crunch and provider communication is increasingly becoming more necessary. One potential solution could be the original technology known as blockchain.Blockchain technology serves as a potential malleable vehicle to help expedite the beginning stages of pharmacy embracing the new brave world of technology. The purpose of this paper was to survey the current literature landscape regarding blockchain usage within the pharmacy realm and provide commentary on researcher’s findings thus far in pharmacy’s infant use of the technology. The following text serves as a guide to what thought leaders currently believe about the merits and applicability of blockchain technology. Methods: The following databases were used to find the most recent text on pharmaceutical applications and their relation to blockchain technology: PubMed, EMBASE and Google Scholar. Various key phrases included “Blockchain and Pharmacy” “Pharmacy and Blockchain” “Blockchain Use” “Blockchain Hacked” “Blockchain Pilot Programs AND Pharmaceuticals.” After combing through the literature, I selected which articles focused on aspects heavily involved in pharmacy such as clinical trials, pilot programs regarding drug recycling and the security of the technology. Results: Ultimately, nine articles were chosen with two websites detailing the inner workings of the potential threats to the blockchain. Conclusion: Blockchain technology is still in its infancy. Most of the thoughts and applications of the technology itself are theoretical. Although the technology has tremendous promise and potential, promise and potential are not tangible entities. Blockchain potential within the drug supply chain is intriguing but many moving parts must be put into place before anything can come to fruition. As with any major technological shift, there is a reticence that must be addressed before full utilization of the technology within the pharmacy ecosystem.