ANTONIO PESQUEIRA
Independent Researcher, Zug, Switzerland

Abstract

While blockchain was originally designed for secure digital transactions, it has now gained traction in a variety of organizations as well where methodologies such as agile have been enabling true digital transformations.
This paper aims to explore whether blockchain and agile supply chains can contribute to healthcare and pharmaceutical innovation, as well to better understand future trends.
Consequently, we hope to provide strategic insights into major issues healthcare and pharmaceutical companies face, such as counterfeiting and anti-tampering measures, as well as a number of strategic options they are considering, such as agile supply chain management.
As a first step, we reviewed the available literature available to develop an initial theme understanding of the challenges, and the adopted strategies and connections between blockchain and innovation in supply chain management.
By analyzing network analysis results and understanding respondents’ relationships and connections, we can reveal how blockchain and agile supply chain management are interconnected.

INTRODUCTION
Globally, many supply chains, including supply chains in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector, were severely disrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic (5).

Pharmaceutical companies continue to face several challenges and key barriers in the market, including the lack of data provenance, data locked up in silos, counterfeit drugs, and cybersecurity threats (1).

Improving the efficiency of the entire supply chain, including the upstream and downstream suppliers as well as people who manufacture ingredients and excipients are key concerns for several industries. But also using digital networks to meet goals like supply chain resilience should be part of supply chain strategies and business focus (13).

Working with different market stakeholders on the contract side means the industry spends a large amount of time with the brand and product manufacturer communities as well as their downstream distribution and logistics partners (27).

In addition to absorbing industry 4.0 strategies concepts, the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries are also experiencin ...