Indian Government Think Tank Trials Blockchain to Combat Fake Meds

An Indian government think tank is working on a blockchain solution aimed to combat the country's roaring counterfeit drugs trade.

"We are all taking those [fake] medicines and I am sure people are dying. One way to reduce that is put the entire supply chain on the blockchain."

According to a World Health Organisation report, India produces 35 percent of counterfeit drugs that are sold globally.

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India, states that around "60-70 percent of dietary supplements being sold across India are fake, counterfeit, unregistered and unapproved."

NITI Aayog hopes to counter this state of affairs by generating a unique ID number for each medicine, which will be tracked through the supply chain on a blockchain, the official explained.

"Fake drugs are a concern and, if blockchain can help the industry get rid of the problem, we are up for it."

The project is also in line with the Indian governments' vision to explore blockchain technology "For ushering in [a] digital economy," as stated by the country's finance minister Arun Jaitley during his budget speech in February.

NITI Aayog also stated earlier this year that it is developing other proofs-of-concept to explore blockchain tech in sectors including education, health and agriculture.

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