Blockchain apply to the supply chain of essential medicines for the treatment of Covid-19 in Colombia

Abstract

Introduction: The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, called COVID-19, in Colombia as well as in a great part of the world, has been declared as a public health emergency of international concern, affecting different aspects of the daily life, being one of the most important the access and distribution of necessary medicine, not only for the known deceases but also for the mitigation of COVID 19. Objective: the distribution of medicines should maintain stability in the supply chain of essential medicines, thus ensuring high quality medicines that could help in the treatment to fight the virus. Methodology: through this work a detailed analysis of the variable and critical points in the supply chain of essential medicines to mitigate COVID-19 is developed. Results: A new architecture based on the Blockchain Hyperledger is presented. It will help to solve those critical points found, through the secure trace of the medicine supply chain. In Colombia, by using this architecture all actors take responsibilities in the distribution chain, ensuring a high level of transparency in the distribution process. Discussion: by verifying the proper functioning of the model, the main difficulty when using Hyperledger is the lack of suppliers with experience; besides, there are not enough standardization or regulations of Blockchain. Conclusion: It is proved that Blockchain is an optimal technology to ensure essential medicine supply chain for the COVID 19 treatment in Colombia.

Keywords

• Architectures
• Blockchain
• Covid-19
• Hyperledger
• Medicines traceability
• Supply chain