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Use of Blockchain Technology in reducing drug supply shortages in the Irish public healthcare system through cross-industry data-sharing of pharmaceutical manufacturing and supply chain data.
| dc.contributor.author | Cronin, Donal | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-06-24T11:25:30Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-06-24T11:25:30Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025-05 | |
| dc.description.abstract | The Irish public healthcare system is facing growing challenges due to recurring drug supply shortages, which significantly impact patient care and healthcare operations. This research investigates whether blockchain technology can serve as a viable solution to enhance transparency and data-sharing between pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers in Ireland, with the ultimate aim of reducing such shortages. The primary research question explores the feasibility of using blockchain to enable timely and secure sharing of manufacturing and supply chain data across public and private stakeholders. Supporting objectives include identifying current barriers in data access, evaluating blockchain’s benefits and technical integration challenges, and gauging stakeholder demand for cross-industry collaboration. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining quantitative survey data with qualitative interviews. Surveys were completed by 45 professionals from healthcare, life sciences, supply chain, and regulatory backgrounds, selected through purposive sampling. The survey gathered perceptions on drug shortages, blockchain awareness, trust in datasharing, and governance preferences. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, Analysis of Variance, and Chi-square testing. The qualitative phase consisted of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with six subject matter experts across the life sciences and healthcare domains. Thematic analysis was used to extract insights aligned with the study’s core objectives. Findings revealed broad awareness of drug shortages across all sectors, with manufacturing delays, supply chain fragility and quality, and lack of real-time data identified as critical factors. Participants viewed blockchain as a potentially transformative technology, particularly for improving traceability, trust, and data integrity. However, technical barriers, such as integration complexity, data standardisation, and regulatory compliance, were seen as significant adoption hurdles. Upstream processes, such as provision of quality raw material, and downstream processes, such as Ireland’s market size and drug approval practices, were highlighted and present significant challenges to drug manufacturing organisations. A consistent theme across interviews was the need for secure, permissioned data environments and proof-of-concept pilots to build trust and validate impact. The study concludes that blockchain holds promise in alleviating drug shortages through enhanced data-sharing and visibility, but successful adoption will depend on cross-sector collaboration, regulatory alignment, and demonstrable pilot outcomes. Recommendations include the development of national governance frameworks, implementation of limitedscale blockchain pilots, and the creation of funding models that support public-private partnerships to ensure system-wide scalability and sustainability. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14136/240 | |
| dc.title | Use of Blockchain Technology in reducing drug supply shortages in the Irish public healthcare system through cross-industry data-sharing of pharmaceutical manufacturing and supply chain data. | |
| dc.type | Thesis |