1.1 Introduction
A drug dispenser system is a technological framework designed to automate, regulate, and manage the distribution of pharmaceutical products to patients in a safe, secure, and efficient manner. Such systems are essential in modern healthcare because they improve prescription accuracy, reduce human error, and ensure better tracking of drug usage (Alotaibi & Federico, 2017). In recent years, the demand for reliable drug dispensing mechanisms has increased due to the rising cases of counterfeit medicines, prescription fraud, and inefficiencies in traditional healthcare systems. Blockchain technology, on the other hand, is a decentralized and immutable digital ledger that allows secure and transparent recording of transactions across multiple stakeholders without relying on a central authority (Nakamoto, 2008). Its unique features of transparency, traceability, immutability, and decentralization make it suitable for addressing challenges in sensitive domains like healthcare and pharmaceuticals (Yaqoob et al., 2021).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitation of the study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Historically, drug dispensing systems can be traced back to the traditional pharmacy practice, where medications were manually dispensed by pharmacists based on handwritten prescriptions. According to Anderson (2002), the earliest dispensing practices were characterized by manual processes that were prone to errors, delays, and inefficiencies. Over time, the introduction of basic record-keeping systems, such as paper-based prescription logs, was used to improve accountability but still faced challenges of data loss and inconsistency (Anderson, 2002).
Drug dispensing is a critical component of healthcare delivery as it ensures that patients receive the right medication, in the right dosage, and at the right time. According to Alotaibi and Federico (2017), efficient drug dispensing systems improve prescription accuracy, reduce errors, and strengthen patient safety. However, in many healthcare systems, existing drug dispenser mechanisms remain largely manual or semi-digital, creating loopholes that compromise transparency, security, and accountability. The advancement of information technology in the late 20th century marked a significant transformation in pharmaceutical dispensing. Alotaibi and Federico (2017) reported that the introduction of computerized pharmacy information systems improved accuracy, reduced prescription errors, and facilitated better record management. Automated drug dispensing machines were later developed to improve efficiency and reduce the burden on pharmacists (Okonkwo et al., 2021).
The World Health Organization (2023) reported that one in ten medical products circulating in low- and middle-income countries is either falsified or substandard, exposing millions of patients to serious health risks. Okonkwo et al. (2021) asserted that centralized dispensing systems are vulnerable to data manipulation and unauthorized access, thereby undermining trust in healthcare services. Similarly, Nwankwo and Adebayo (2022) contended that weak infrastructures and fragmented supply chains in developing countries make drug monitoring difficult and create opportunities for malpractice.
Blockchain technology has emerged as a viable solution to these challenges. Nakamoto (2008) stated that blockchain is a decentralized, immutable digital ledger that records transactions transparently without reliance on a central authority. Yaqoob et al. (2021) affirmed that blockchain offers unique features such as transparency, immutability, traceability, and decentralization, making it highly applicable in sensitive domains like healthcare. Casino et al. (2019) reported that blockchain-based applications provide trust, accountability, and security, especially in environments where fraud and inefficiencies are prevalent.
The integration of blockchain into drug dispensing systems introduces a paradigm shift. It ensures that every transaction from drug manufacturing to dispensing is securely recorded, traceable, and auditable. Ochei and Musa (2020) stated that prescription errors, unauthorized refills, and misuse of controlled drugs are persistent issues in traditional systems, but blockchain-enabled systems can mitigate these risks through automated verification and immutable record keeping (Ochei and Musa, 2020). Furthermore, stakeholders such as doctors, pharmacists, regulators, and patients stand to benefit from real-time monitoring, secure data sharing, and enhanced coordination (Nwankwo & Adebayo, 2022).
The challenges encountered that led to the execution of the research work is that the existing systems used in drug dispensing are mostly centralized, which makes them prone to errors, manipulation, and data breaches. Issues such as counterfeit drugs, unauthorized access to prescription medications, lack of patient data privacy, and weak coordination among stakeholders have continued to undermine effective healthcare delivery (World Health Organization, 2023). Blockchain-based solutions provide an innovative approach by creating a secure and decentralized record that tracks every transaction from manufacturers to end-users, ensuring accountability and reducing the risks associated with fraudulent practices (Casino et al., 2019). This study is set against the backdrop of the urgent need to address inefficiencies, fraud, and trust deficits in existing drug dispensing systems by developing a blockchain-based framework that guarantees security, accountability, and transparency in pharmaceutical services.
1.3 Statement of Problem
Based on the investigation conducted, the implemented system encounters a number of challenges, with some of the most significant issues outlined below:
- The existing drug dispensing systems often rely on centralized databases, which are vulnerable to unauthorized alterations, manipulation, or loss of records.
- The systems often do not adequately secure sensitive medical information. Centralized storage exposes patient data to breaches, hacking, and unauthorized access.
- The manual prescription handling and poor integration between doctors, pharmacists, and patients increase the chances of errors, such as dispensing wrong drugs, incorrect dosages, or unauthorized refills.
- Traditional systems lack efficient end-to-end traceability of drugs. Once drugs leave the manufacturer, monitoring their movement through wholesalers, pharmacies, and finally to patients becomes problematic.
- Paper-based and semi-digital systems used in some health facilities lead to fragmented, inconsistent, and sometimes missing records, which makes drug monitoring and auditing difficult.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of this study is to develop a blockchain-based drug dispenser system that ensures transparency, security, and accountability in pharmaceutical services. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To design a user-friendly interface that facilitates interaction between healthcare providers, pharmacists, and patients in managing drug prescriptions.
- To create a secure and transparent framework that utilizes blockchain technology for drug dispensing and record management.
- To develop a prototype drug dispenser system that ensures accurate tracking of drug distribution and prevents unauthorized access.
- To implement blockchain-based features that guarantee immutability, traceability, and accountability in the drug dispensing process.
- To create and test an automated drug dispenser system integrated with blockchain to reduce errors and improve efficiency in pharmaceutical services.
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