Drug Authenticity

Definition ∞ Drug authenticity refers to the verifiable assurance that pharmaceutical products are genuine, unadulterated, and produced by legitimate manufacturers. In the context of supply chains, particularly with blockchain, it involves tracing medications from their origin to the consumer to prevent counterfeiting. This process confirms that a drug’s stated ingredients, dosage, and quality align with its official specifications. Ensuring drug authenticity is critical for patient safety and public health.
Context ∞ News concerning drug authenticity frequently highlights blockchain’s potential to combat the global trade in counterfeit pharmaceuticals. The discussion often focuses on implementing immutable ledger systems to track drug batches, verify manufacturing data, and record every transfer point in the supply chain. A critical future development involves regulatory mandates for blockchain-based traceability systems to enhance consumer confidence and reduce health risks. The challenge remains in integrating diverse stakeholders, from manufacturers to pharmacies, into a unified, secure tracking network.