How can adulterated medicine be differentiated from the consumer end?

In Bangladesh, the issue of pharmaceutical drug adulteration, which is part of a global fake drug industry worth $75 billion, poses a serious risk to public health. This industry not only affects Bangladesh but also has a devastating impact worldwide, causing approximately 122,000 deaths annually among children under five in Africa alone. In many developing regions, including Africa, Asia, and South America, counterfeit medicines make up 10-30% of the pharmaceutical market. This alarming situation highlights the urgent need for a way to help consumers tell the difference between genuine and fake medicines. One possible technological solution to this problem is the use of blockchain technology. Blockchain can offer a secure and transparent way to track the production and distribution of pharmaceuticals, making it much harder for counterfeit drugs to enter the supply chain. Each step of a medicine’s journey from manufacturing to sale could be recorded on a blockchain, providing a tamper-proof record that consumers could access through a simple app or website. Such a system would require collaboration between pharmaceutical companies, regulators, and retailers to ensure that all genuine medications are tracked on the blockchain. Consumers could then verify the authenticity of their medicines by scanning a QR code or entering a serial number into the app, giving them confidence that their medicine is safe and effective. In summary, the challenge is to implement a blockchain-based system that makes it easy for consumers to identify genuine medicines and avoid counterfeit ones, thereby protecting public health and saving lives. This solution would require significant coordination and investment but has the potential to drastically reduce the impact of drug adulteration in Bangladesh and beyond.