REVOLUTIONISING DRUG SAFETY The convergence of IoT and blockchain in pharmacovigilance

Author: John Praveen, Vice President, Pharmacovigilance & Medical Writing Account Delivery & PV Shared Services Offering (SSO) Lead, Accenture Solution Pvt Ltd.

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare and life sciences, the integration of cutting-edge technologies is paving the way for unprecedented advancements in patient safety and drug efficacy monitoring. Two such technologies, the Internet of Things (IoT) and blockchain, are at the forefront of this revolution, particularly in the critical field of pharmacovigilance. This article explores how these innovations are reshaping the way we approach patient safety, from clinical trials (CT) to post-market surveillance (PMS).

The Current State of Pharmacovigilance

Pharmacovigilance, the science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug-related problems, has long been a cornerstone of patient safety. Traditional methods, however, often suffer from delays in reporting, data inconsistencies, and limited real-time monitoring capabilities. These limitations can lead to delayed identification of adverse drug reactions, potentially putting patients at risk.

Enter IoT: Real-Time Monitoring and Data Collection

The Internet of Things refers to the network of physical objects embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies that enable them to collect and exchange data. In the context of pharmacovigilance, IoT devices are transforming the way we monitor patient health and drug effects.

Key applications of IoT in pharmacovigilance include:

1. Wearable health monitors: Devices such as smartwatches and fitness trackers can continuously monitor vital signs, activity levels, and even specific health parameters relevant to particular medications.

2. Smart pill dispensers: These devices can track medication adherence, reminding patients to take their doses and recording when medications are taken.

3. Connected medical devices: Devices like smart inhalers or glucose monitors can provide real-time data on medication usage and patient response.

4. Environmental sensors: These can monitor storage conditions for pharmaceuticals, ensuring they remain within safe temperature and humidity ranges throughout the supply chain.

The data collected by these devices provides a comprehensive, real-time picture of patient health and drug effects. This wealth of information allows for more rapid identification of adverse events and enables healthcare providers to make informed decisions quickly.

Blockchain: Ensuring Data Integrity and Transparency

While IoT devices excel at data collection, blockchain technology addresses another crucial aspect of pharmacovigilance: data integrity and security. Blockchain, a decentralised digital ledger technology, offers several key benefits:

1. Immutability: Once data is recorded on a blockchain, it cannot be altered or deleted, ensuring the integrity of pharmacovigilance records.

2. Transparency: All stakeholders can view the same information, promoting trust and collaboration among pharmaceutical companies, regulators, healthcare providers, and patients.

3. Traceability: Every transaction or data entry is timestamped and linked to previous entries, creating a clear audit trail.

4. Security: The decentralised nature of blockchain makes it highly resistant to hacking or data breaches.

In pharmacovigilance, blockchain can be used to securely record and share adverse event reports, clinical trial data, and supply chain information. This creates a single source of truth that all stakeholders can rely on.

Learn more: https://www.pharmafocusasia.com/information-technology/revolutionising-drug-safety-convergence-iot