MediLedger announces start of participation in FDA track and trace pilot program

The MediLedger project, a cross-industry effort to enhance the safety and security of the drug supply chain by utilizing a blockchain-based solution built earlier by the MediLedger Project, today announced the commencement of its participation of a new pilot program sponsored by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The program under development will assist drug supply chain stakeholders in developing an electronic, interoperable system that will identify and trace certain prescription drugs as they are distributed within the United States.

The project, which is being coordinated by San Francisco blockchain technology company Chronicled, is made up of over 20 companies, including large pharmaceutical manufacturers, virtual manufacturers, contract manufacturers, repackagers, wholesale distributors, third-party logistics companies, and major retail pharmacy chains.

Matt Sample, VP of Manufacturing Operations at AmerisourceBergen, commented, "The MediLedger pilot's strength is that it's a cross industry effort to explore the use of a blockchain network to enable the interoperability required by the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) requirements in 2023. The potential solution is especially viable because it's open to all participants in the Pharma industry. We've been working with Chronicled since 2017 on solving these industry challenges and we believe that there is potential to great improvements to the prescription drug supply chain."

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Talvis Love, SVP, CIO Pharmaceutical Segment at Cardinal Health, commented, "Cardinal Health is excited to partner with Chronicled. Blockchain provides an alternative to meet the 2023 interoperability requirements for the DSCSA. Specifically, the FDA pilot has the potential to extend the pharmaceutical blockchain business network to meet the requirements and enhance security of prescription drugs and patient safety."

Pablo Medina, Head of US Product Lifecycle and Protection, and Genentech echoed those comments about patient safety, "Further advancement in patient safety in the supply chain can only be achieved by strong cross-industry collaboration and a robust yet efficient technology solution. As founding members of the MediLedger Project, we believe that blockchain technology truly holds promise to further secure the distribution of pharmaceutical products and it is only through a common vision that we will be able to achieve it."

The project is scheduled for completion in November 2019.