Challenges for Implementing Digital Drug Traceability in Developing Countries

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the challenges for the implementing digital traceability of pharmaceuticals drugs in developing countries. The digital traceability of pharmaceutical drugs has been proving a very impactful process to minimize the risk of counterfeit and illicit drugs in the market. Developed countries like Unites States of America in 2018, and Europe in 2019, made unique identifier with 2D barcode mandatory in each drugs packet. Unique identifier on each packets provide provision of digital traceability since drug manufacturers encode them and keep the data in their repository Any stakeholders in supply chain can easily verify the authenticity of product by asking manufacturer to compare product values with their database. Implementing digital traceability of pharmaceutical drugs in developing countries will be challenging due lack of technical infrastructure, weak regulations, geopolitical instability, poverty, low literacy, and government willingness. Developing countries are facing economic depression and unable to allocate funds on research and development which can improve overall healthcare system. Recently COVID-19 also played a major role for collapsing their entire healthcare infrastructure. Developing countries impacted by global supply chain restrictions and unavailability of resources which created inflation and unemployment.