OpTrak: Tracking Opioid Prescriptions via Distributed Ledger Technology

Peng Zhang, Breck Stodghill, Cory Pitt, Cavin Briody, Douglas C. Schmidt, Jules White, Alan Pitt and Kelly Aldrich
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Peng Zhang: Vanderbilt University, USA
Breck Stodghill: Vanderbilt University, USA
Cory Pitt: Vanderbilt University, USA
Cavin Briody: Vanderbilt University, USA
Douglas C. Schmidt: Vanderbilt University, USA
Jules White: Vanderbilt University, USA
Alan Pitt: Barrow Neurological Institute, USA
Kelly Aldrich: Center for Medical Interoperability, USA

International Journal of Information Systems and Social Change (IJISSC), 2019, vol. 10, issue 2, 45-61

Abstract: This article describes the structure and functionality of OpTrak, a decentralized app implemented using the Ethereum blockchain that targets the opioid epidemic currently plaguing the United States. Over-prescription and distribution of opioids cost the national healthcare system over $78 billion every year. Problems persist in every stage of the process, from doctors prescribing the medication to the pharmacists fulfilling prescriptions. These problems arise from a combination of factors, including lack of accountability, transparency, and reliability in the current prescription drug monitoring programs. This work provides three key contributions to research on a technical approach to mitigate the opioid epidemic. First, the authors pinpoint key problems in the current opioid prescription system. Second, they propose an integrated approach for addressing the problems by leveraging distributed ledgers, focusing on blockchain technology. Third, the authors describe the structure and functionality of OpTrak that allows a consortium of care providers to exchange patient prescription data securely.

Date: 2019
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:igg:jissc0:v:10:y:2019:i:2:p:45-61

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