Med Verify: A Block Chain-Based Medicine Verification System for Counterfeit Drug Detection

Abstract

Counterfeit medications are a significant danger to public health, reducing the trustworthiness of healthcare systems and leading to financial loss. Standard verification efforts (e.g. using barcodes, and holograms) are frequently ineffective against sophisticated counterfeiters. Med Verify is a mobile application using block chain technology to better combat counterfeit drugs by providing a secure and transparent verification solution. It incorporates the benefits of block chain technology for a tamper-proof record of transactions, QR code/RFID scanning for immediate authentication, and artificial intelligence based packaging analysis for the identification of concerns with drug packaging. Users can scan QR codes to verify medicines, which will pull up block chain-supported content on batch information, manufacturer information, and chain-of-custody information. The AI-based image recognition system will find inconsistencies in label and package appearance, improving counterfeit verification. Med Verify also includes a community-based reporting feature to allow users to report suspicious medicines and provide feedback on the app's results. By partnering with health providers and health policy systems, Med Verify increases transparency to empower consumers and bolster the pharmaceutical supply chain system while decreasing counterfeit drug exposure for the public and bolstering public health.