Why Blockchain is Key to Enhancing Supply Chain Integrity

In a video interview with Pharma Commerce, Jonathan Colehower, managing director, global operations & supply chain practice at UST, discussed how the East and Gulf Coast port strikes highlighted the contrasting dynamics between branded and generic pharmaceuticals. Branded drugs, which offer higher profit margins, are produced at limited manufacturing sites, creating potential vulnerabilities. In contrast, generics have multiple supply sources but operate with tighter margins, leading to less robust business controls and raising concerns about safety. This disparity underscores the complex challenges faced by both sectors in the pharmaceutical industry. Colehower also spoke on the valuable in pharma supply chain transparency and visibility.

A transcript of Colehower’s conversation with PC can be found below.

PC: Why is building a chain of custody within the life sciences industry so valuable?

Colehower: I guess the one thing that I've been advocating for in the pharma supply chain and life sciences altogether is about building that immutable chain of custody using blockchain. I think it's just a matter of time before we see that in more and more supply chains within the life sciences. It goes back to that brand versus generic [scenario]—who's got the money, who's going to pay for this—but it's going to become either a matter of product supply or product safety that's going to mandate that ability to have an immutable chain of custody.