Can Blockchain Remedy Healthcare? Nigeria Bets On The Expertise To Curb Faux Medicine

Blockchain know-how emerges as a possible sturdy resolution to the persistent situation of counterfeit medicines within the pharmaceutical sector. Based on Goldstein Market Intelligence’s forecast, the estimated affect of counterfeit medicines is a staggering $5.3 billion this yr. Regardless of these challenges, business specialists categorical optimism in regards to the transformative affect of blockchain know-how in addressing this urgent concern.

Is Blockchain The Resolution To Counter Faux Medicine?

In a latest interview with Sunday PUNCH, Oluseyi Akindeinde, the CEO of Hyperspace Applied sciences, highlighted the potential of blockchain in safeguarding the pharmaceutical sector. Akindeinde emphasised that blockchain’s means to serialize pharmaceutical merchandise and assign verifiable safety features may considerably hinder the circulation of counterfeit medicines.

To attain this, Akindeinde proposed integrating encrypted non-fungible token (NFT) tags into pharmaceutical merchandise. These tags create distinctive identities and provide an extra layer of safety. By encrypting the NFTs, solely licensed people with the right code can entry info comparable to possession particulars and any hooked up information, guaranteeing the integrity of digital belongings on the blockchain.

The affect of counterfeit medicines extends far past monetary losses. Based on the United Nations, substandard medicine end in a staggering 500,000 deaths yearly in sub-Saharan Africa alone. Shockingly, inside that determine, 267,000 deaths are linked to counterfeit antimalarial medicine, whereas substandard antibiotics for extreme pneumonia contribute to 169,271 deaths.

The Nationwide Company for Meals and Drug Administration and Management not too long ago took motion in opposition to the counterfeit medication commerce, destroying over N500 million price of pretend and expired items in Abuja. The regulator famous that the destroyed medicine included psychoactive and managed substances, antibiotics, anti-hypertensives, natural treatments, and medicines confiscated from unauthorized distributors.

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Sensible Contracts: Antidote To Drug Counterfeiting

Akindeinde additional defined that blockchain know-how presents an immutable resolution by the usage of sensible contracts. Sensible contracts are unchangeable traces of code deployed on the chain. Every pharmaceutical product receives a novel identification tag affixed to its packaging inside a wise contract, rendering manipulation nearly unimaginable.

The implications of counterfeit medicine prolong past the quick well being dangers. Legit pharmaceutical firms undergo reputational injury, and all the healthcare system grapples with diminished belief because of the proliferation of pretend medicine. Blockchain know-how, with its inherent authentication and transparency, has the potential to revive belief and integrity.

Adewale Kayode, the Director and Workforce Lead at Sirfitech, echoed the sentiment, stating that the know-how may present authentication and transparency throughout all the pharmaceutical worth chain. From uncooked supplies to manufacturing and distribution, blockchain know-how can make sure the verifiability and traceability of pharmaceutical merchandise, instilling confidence in shoppers and stakeholders alike.

Because the counterfeit medication business continues to evolve, the adoption of blockchain know-how presents a glimmer of hope. Whereas challenges comparable to regulatory frameworks and business collaboration stay, the potential of blockchain to fight counterfeit medicines and defend lives is simple. The pharmaceutical sector stands poised to leverage this transformative know-how, forging a path in the direction of a safer and extra dependable future.

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