How an Enterprise Blockchain Application in the U.S. Pharmaceuticals Supply Chain is Saving Lives

Authors

Jens Mattke
Christian Maier
Axel Hund
Tim Weitzel

Abstract

The MediLedger Project has built a blockchain ecosystem application that prevents counterfeit pharmaceuticals from entering the U.S. pharmaceuticals supply chain. From the lessons learned, we make four recommendations: 1) use a “benevolent dictator” and base governance on “consensus through collaboration”; 2) store the verification of transactions, not the transactions themselves, on the blockchain; 3) use zero-knowledge proofs to verify product and transaction authenticity while preserving full privacy; 4) use blockchain application capabilities not found in traditional technologies to fix ineffective IS landscapes.

Recommended Citation

Mattke, Jens; Maier, Christian; Hund, Axel; and Weitzel, Tim (2019) "How an Enterprise Blockchain Application in the U.S. Pharmaceuticals Supply Chain is Saving Lives," MIS Quarterly Executive: Vol. 18: Iss. 4, Article 6.
Available at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/misqe/vol18/iss4/6