Distributed Ledger Infrastructure to Verify adverse Event Reporting (DeLIVER): Proposal for a proof-of-concept study

Abstract

Background: Adverse drug event reporting is critical for ensuring patient safety; however, numbers of reports have been declining. There is a need for a more user-friendly reporting system and for a means of verifying reports that have been filed. Objectives: This project has two main objectives: 1) to identify the perceived benefits and barriers in the current reporting of adverse events by patients and healthcare providers and 2) to develop a distributed ledger infrastructure and user interface to collect and collate adverse event reports to create a comprehensive and interoperable database. Methods: A review of the literature will be conducted to identify the strengths and limitations of the current UK adverse event reporting system (the Yellow Card System). If insufficient information is found in this review, a survey will be created to collect data from system users. The results of these investigations will be incorporated into the development of a mobile and web app for adverse event reporting. A digital infrastructure will be built using distributed ledger technology to provide a means of linking reports with existing pharmaceutical tracking systems. Results: The key outputs of this project will be the development of a digital infrastructure including the backend distributed ledger system and the app-based user interface. Conclusions: This infrastructure is expected to improve the accuracy and efficiency of adverse event reporting systems by enabling the monitoring of specific medicines or medical devices over their life course while protecting patients’ personal health data.