Journal
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
Volume 13, Issue 2, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/app13020686
Keywords
blockchain; distributed ledger; supply chain; healthcare; vaccines; medical device; solution; innovation
Ask authors/readers for more resources
This review summarizes the use of blockchain technology in healthcare supply chain management, specifically for drugs, medical devices, and blood, organs, and tissues. A systematic review of 28 articles found that while there is significant interest and diverse ideas and methodologies, real-life applications are still lacking.
A supply chain (SC) is a network of interests, information, and materials involved in processes that produce value for customers. The implementation of blockchain technology in SC management in healthcare has had results. This review aims to summarize how blockchain technology has been used to address SC challenges in healthcare, specifically for drugs, medical devices (DMDs), and blood, organs, and tissues (BOTs). A systematic review was conducted by following the PRISMA guidelines and searching the PubMed and Proquest databases. English-language studies were included, while non-primary studies, as well as surveys, were excluded. After full-text assessment, 28 articles met the criteria for inclusion. Of these, 15 (54%) were classified as simulation studies, 12 (43%) were classified as theoretical, and only one was classified as a real case study. Most of the articles (n = 23, 82%) included the adoption of smart contracts. The findings of this systematic review indicated a significant but immature interest in the topic, with diverse ideas and methodologies, but without effective real-life applications.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available