# Secure and transparent pharmaceutical supply chain

> Chronicled operates the MediLedger network, a blockchain-based platform to improve transparency and traceability in the pharmaceutical supply chain. The system combats counterfeit medicines and automates processes with response times of less than 400 milliseconds. The solution has been in development since 2017 and is being used commercially to meet DSCSA regulations.

**Sector:** Tertiary sector · **Industry:** Hospitals and clinics · **Organisation:** Chronicled · **Maturity level:** Production

Canonical URL: https://www.sapientblock.com/en/use-cases/chronicled-medikamente-faelschungssicher-liefern

## Documentation status

- **Project status:** Production
- **Evidence:** Evidence high
- **Editorial review:** Ufuk Avci, 15 April 2026

## Description

MediLedger is the blockchain network from Chronicled (San Francisco) for the US pharmaceutical market, specifically for DSCSA compliance (Drug Supply Chain Security Act of 2013). The Hyperledger Fabric-based network connects all actors in the US pharmaceutical supply chain: manufacturers, wholesalers, pharmacies, hospitals. Every medicine carries a serial number, and every transaction is documented on the blockchain.

The DSCSA mandates that from November 2023 every unit of a prescription medicine must be electronically and interoperably traceable. MediLedger delivers exactly that: serialization data from manufacturers is documented upon shipment; every ownership change (manufacturer to wholesaler, wholesaler to pharmacy) is recorded on-chain. Pharmacists and hospital pharmacies can instantly check by scanning a serial number: Is this medicine genuine? Was it produced by an authorised manufacturer? Is there a recall? MediLedger network partners: Pfizer, Gilead Sciences, AbbVie, Merck (manufacturer side); McKesson, Cardinal Health, AmerisourceBergen (wholesale); CVS, Walmart, Kroger Pharmacies (pharmacies). After the NABP takeover (June 2023), the tool has been continued as a non-profit patient protection instrument. Pharmaceutical blockchain market 2023: Fortune Business Insights estimates a market volume of USD 1.4 billion, with growth of 65% per year.

## Benefits

- Companies can reduce losses from counterfeit medicines and increase their supply chain transparency.
- Blockchain technology enables response times of less than 400 milliseconds for supply chain tracking.
- The system automates transactions and replaces manual batch processing with real-time updates.
- The platform meets regulatory requirements such as DSCSA provisions and improves compliance.
- Employees benefit from automated processes that reduce manual documentation and verification tasks.

## Challenges

- Companies need to adapt their existing ERP systems and processes to the blockchain platform.
- Implementation requires cooperation from all supply chain partners and integration with existing IT systems.
- The high technical complexity of blockchain integration can lead to longer implementation times.
- Employees require training in handling the new blockchain technology and the changed processes.

## Technology foundation

The MediLedger network uses an authorised Ethereum Enterprise setup with zero-knowledge consensus, enabling secure and private data transmission between supply chain partners. This technology is particularly suitable as it ensures both the necessary transparency for traceability and data protection for business information.

## Sources

- [MediLedger Supply Chain Pharmaindustrie](https://blockchainwelt.de/mediledger-supply-chain-pharmaindustrie/)
- [Chronicled Recapturing Billions Through Blockchain](https://blockchainindustrygroup.org/chronicled-recapturing-billions-through-blockchain/)
- [Pharmazeutischer Blockchain Markt](https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/de/pharmazeutischer-blockchain-markt-115670)