Blockchain technology in management of clinical trials: A review of its applications, regulatory concerns and challenges

• Published in: Materials today : proceedings Vol. 47; pp. 198 - 206
• Main Authors: Manish, Katiyar, Deepti, Singhal, Shipra
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 2021
• Subjects: Blockchain technology; Clinical trials; Clinical trials; Blockchain technology
• ISSN: 2214-7853; 2214-7853
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2021.04.095

The concept of Blockchain Technology was developed by Satoshi Nakamoto, in 2008. This technique involves the recording of information in such a way that it becomes very complicated and impossible to modify, hack, or deceive the system. Ablockchainis fundamentally an electronic record of dealings that is copied and scattered athwart the complete association of computer systems. This technique consists of an arrangement that keeps the transactional archives, also called as the block, of the community in numerous datums also recognized as the “chain,” in a network connected throughout peer-to-peer nodes. Characteristically, this storage space is also called as a digital ledger. This technology finds various applications in medical field including the clinical trials. There are many problems in the management of the data of clinical trials due to which the study these studies get delayed. Traditionally the data transfer was done manually which involved a high risk of errors. Due to the time constraints it becomes very essential to opt for an advanced technology which would help overcome these problems. Blockchain offers a remedy to these issues. The assessments can be programmed and made in parallel in harmony with the ‘contract’ decided amid parties and without the requirement for centralization and consequential batching. Such necessities should be considered while designing the blockchain-enabled submission for clinical trials, which completely confine their venture character, permit quick swap over of high eminence facts and information, and assist setting up and budgeting of assets. Thus, the current review aims to outline the applications of blockchain technology in clinical trials, its regulatory requirements and the challenges.