Evaluation and Classification Risks of Implementing Blockchain in the Drug Supply Chain with a New Hybrid Sorting Method

Abstract

In blockchain technology, all registered information, from the place of production of the product to its point of sale, is recorded as permanent and unchangeable, and no intermediary has the ability to change the data of other members and even the data registered by them without public consensus. In this way, users can trust the accuracy of the data. Blockchain systems have a wide range of applications in the medical and health sectors, from creating an integrated system for recording and tracking patients’ medical records to creating transparency in the drug supply chain and medical supplies. However, implementing blockchain technology in the supply chain has limitations and sometimes has risks. In this study, BWM methods and VIKORSort have been used to classify the risks of implementing blockchain in the drug supply chain. The results show that cyberattacks, double spending, and immutability are very dangerous risks for implementation of blockchain technology in the drug supply chain. Therefore, the risks of blockchain technology implementation in the drug supply chain have been classified based on a literature review and opinions of the experts. The risks of blockchain technology implementation in the supply chain were determined from the literature review.