Blockchain-Based Infrastructure for Product Traceability in the Medical Supply Chain

Abstract

This chapter introduces a blockchain-based infrastructure to support the traceability of medical products and implementation of unique device identification. Therefore, in the next pages, the characteristics of blockchain technology as well as benefits and challenges in supply chain management are described. After that, regulations for medical supply chains are gathered with a focus on American and European regulations and interlinked with the current concepts of the labling medical products. Finally, a technical blockchain-based solution is conceptualized with regard to full and light node system in medical supply chains before the chapter is concluded with an outlook and further scientific and technical research possibilities.