Identify Effective Indicators in the Use of Blockchain Technology in the Drug Supply Chain (Using the Meta Synthesis Method for the Years 2010-2022)

Counterfeit drugs kill many people in the world every year. With the introduction of blockchain technology in the drug supply chain, the basic problem of this system, which is the existence of counterfeit drugs, will be solved. The purpose of this study is to investigate and identify the effective indicators in the use of blockchain technology in the drug supply chain.

In this paper, the meta synthesis method has been used to investigate and identify the effective indicators in the use of blockchain in the drug supply chain. meta synthesis is a qualitative research method. The data collection tool is library studies and research background research. In this regard, first 7770 original articles were found, of which, after reviewing the relevant titles, 102 articles remained and the rest were deleted. In the next step, by reviewing the abstracts of articles, 6 articles were deleted and 96 articles remained. Finally, 89 articles were selected by reviewing the content of the remaining articles. Validity and reliability were checked and finally, the data were entered in Excel software and the average percentage of blockchain indexes in the drug supply chain was calculated by the elites.

Using selected articles and experts' opinions, the following six main effective indicators were obtained. Smart contract, simplification of international transactions, identification, supply chain coordination, tracking and prevention of fraud in the pharmaceutical industry, permanent and secure storage of information, and balancing the pricing process and reducing costs.

At present, this technology is the best option for use in the drug supply chain due to the benefits of drug traceability, transparency, permanent and secure storage of information, elimination of intermediaries, cost reduction and unchangeable information.