• Meda Raghavendra.
• Interventional Pain Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
• Pain Med. 2019 Oct 1; 20 (10): 1884-1889.

ObjectiveTo introduce the basic concepts of blockchain technologies in tackling the opioid epidemic.DesignA narrative review.Setting/BackgroundThe opioid epidemic is taking a big toll in terms of lives and livelihood in America. Various public and private sector agencies are actively implementing different strategies to contain the epidemic. Development of robust real-time databases that are secure and easily accessible to the stakeholders in the opioid/paincare ecosystem is essential. Blockchain technologies, with their inherent features of decentralization, immutability, and easy access are well suited to achieving these goals. Some practical applications of blockchain technologies include data collection/aggregation/analysis, patient/provider identification, traceability/monitoring of opioids, supply chain provenance, prescription monitoring, licensure and credentialing, interoperability, seamless integration/communication, development of opioid alternatives, and research incentivization.ConclusionsBlockchain technologies may help support the efforts of different agencies in curtailing the opioid epidemic.© 2019 American Academy of Pain Medicine. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

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