31 Jan Masters Students present on revolutionizing the pharmaceutical supply chain using blockchain
On the final day of the global health elective course, Future Medicine, first- and second-year masters students presented their solutions to problems in the Ghanaian medical supply chain using innovative technology. Three groups of students offered suggestions for ways to enhance pharmaceutical manufacturing, distribution, and inventory management using blockchain technology.
The Future Medicine course is a collaboration between PharmAccess and the Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development (AIGHD). Cees Hesp and Guus ten Asbroek were the faculty for this course. PharmAccess’ Med4All project served as the case study for the students.
This unique 4-week long elective course has proven impactful for the students hoping to learn about health and technology. Students reflected on innovations in healthcare, specifically in relation to blockchain technology’s contribution to health systems. Master’s student, Joeri Buis said, “this course opens your mind to possibilities like what types of research and jobs may exist in the future.”
However, you don’t have to have prior knowledge of blockchain technology before taking the course. “I am not from the technology field and I want to challenge myself and have a better grasp of technology and health,” explained Isis Walker, a Master’s student who believes that whether or not you want to continue in the field of health and technology, the information in this course can still be useful in a future career.
The event on Thursday brought together individuals from AIGHD, PharmAccess and AHTI, to listen to the presentations and ask questions to students about blockchain and health systems in the Ghana. Reflecting on the course in its entirety, Master’s student Jessica Coetzer shared that her “expectations of the course have been exceeded. I like that we have the chance to learn about technology in the context of healthcare, which really shows the practicality and applicability of the course.”
The Future Medicine course will likely be offered again next January and will be open to 1st and 2nd year masters students from the research master in global health.
