The Future of Pharma with Blockchain

Abstract

We investigate how Blockchain can help facilitate value in a pharma supply chain. Context is a holistic understanding from end-to-end with authorities. In Novo Nordisk A/S we follow a use case that facilitates improved track and trace. Based on this use case, interviews and data we provide our thoughts toward the future possibilities with Blockchain. Our investigation tries to capture these relationships in a rich graphical picture. We’ve argued that lack of coordination lead to bull whips and that complexity reduction can occur through increased collaboration. The increased requirements and continues focus on patient safety, lead to the urge for higher visibility and transparency in a multitude of use cases.
Moving collaboration from centralized entities to decentralized entities is a double-edged sword as many unproven states and scenarios are yet to play out.
Trust is not established through Blockchain solutions but Blockchain can help maintain trust.
We argue that trust is granted in advance and maintained through coherent system integrity and the service delivery hereof. Smart contracts have been found vital in the success of Blockchain solutions, which can enable businesses to automate workflows while staying transparent. We’ve found that a business solution in a pharma supply chain can be sufficiently solved with use of traditional technology. An industry solution could be strengthened by utilizing a permissioned network with Blockchain and shouldn’t be owned by a single entity. Thus, we’ve found that industry solutions should start small as a minimum ecosystem product with a centralized governance model before maturing and decentralizing governance. On the basis on our findings, we propose a conceptual framework to unveil complexity in an ecosystem through high-level variables. This can contribute to the current academic research on Blockchain.