OPURENT | VOLUME 1
Companies have started exploring blockchain technologies for healthcare supply chain management
The purported benefits of blockchain technology for enhancing management of the supply chain for hospitals include: • Aligning stakeholder goals • Work in synergy across teams given the challenges • Enhanced workflow designs • Optimising efficiencies • Improving inventory management, • Reduced Costs and add value However, when we look at the industry, the challenges at large, are very complex. When you
look at what does exist, it’s multiple intermediaries. It's an industry where we don't have manufacturer dealing directly with healthcare providers. We have intermediaries present across supply chain. Distributors, Preferred Vendors, TPA, GPOs, Govt sponsored Insurance Schemes etc. It’s not case where true costs are apparent to either of the industry players or the consumers. Healthcare Provider preferences is another angle. Having said this, there is a huge scope and opportunity for disruption using horizontal innovation in this segment and industry stake holders look forward to have newer developments happening to add value to customers and patients.
References: 1. A Study of Supply Chain Management in Healthcare and the Opportunities that arise with Blockchain Enabled Solutions. Melichovich, G., Southey, S., & Zarrebini, M. 2. https://revcycleintelligence.com/news/why-executives-are-demanding-supply-chainmanagement-value 3. https://spendmatters.com/2019/04/29/healthcare-supply-chain-has-its-own-needs-challengesan-insiders-view/ 4. https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/cutler/files/jsc130008_hospitals_market_share_and_consolidat ion.pdf 5. https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/supply-chain/survey-top-healthcare-supply-chainpriorities-in-2018.html 6. https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/health-researchinstitute/blockchain-in-healthcare.html 7. https://www.attainia.com/blog/challenges-facing-healthcare-supply-chain/ 11 | P a g e