Yesterday the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
announced plans to pilot new technologies, including blockchain, to help in the track and trace of pharmaceuticals. In 2013 the US introduced the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) with the aim of controlling the rampant counterfeit drug market which is estimated at $200 billion globally. To address this need, the pharmaceutical supply chain needs to become fully interoperable. That involves sharing information between manufacturers, repackagers, wholesale distributors, dispensers and their providers.
The announcement also points to the FDA piloting food traceability projects. Late last year the FDA hired Frank Yiannas as Deputy Commissioner, Food Policy & Response. He previously headed food safety at Walmart for a decade, and Walmart is one of the key partners in the IBM Food Trust blockchain initiative.
The FDA is soliciting applications for participation in the pilots.
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