FDA may use blockchain for medical recalls

Blockchain may be a future solution for the FDA to leverage medical recalls.

The “teaser” announcement was made by Amy Abernethy, MD, PhD, principal deputy commissioner at the Office of the Commissioner and the acting CIO of the FDA, who spoke at the ONC’s third Interoperability Forum last week.

The FDA has already been thinking about blockchain as a solution. The agency launched a drug tracking blockchain project, alongside partners such as IBM, KPMG, Merck and Walmart, aimed at improving the drug supply chain.

A tech-focused approach to medical recalls is on the way, Abernethy noted.