Dr Blessing Takawira, Prof. David Pooe, Dr Alexander Samuels
Abstract
The pharmaceutical supply chain faces critical challenges in cybersecurity, interoperability, and sustainability as it integrates emerging Industry 5.0 technologies. These challenges include safeguarding sensitive data, ensuring seamless communication between diverse technological platforms, and maintaining environmental responsibility while improving operational efficiency. Despite the potential of technologies such as blockchain, IoT, AI, and big data analytics to revolutionise supply chain operations, their specific roles and integration challenges in the pharmaceutical sector remain unclear. To address this knowledge gap, this study conducts a systematic review of current research on the integration of emerging technologies in the pharmaceutical supply chain within the context of Industry 5.0. Employing the PRISMA method, we systematically aggregate and analyse relevant literature through thematic analysis facilitated by Atlas-ti. This rigorous approach ensures a comprehensive examination of significant trends and gaps in the field. Our findings highlight substantial opportunities for blockchain to enhance supply chain cybersecurity, although explicit applications within pharmaceuticals remain underexplored. Interoperability emerges as a pivotal challenge, with a noted absence of standardised practices to ensure seamless integration of diverse technological platforms. Additionally, while Industry 5.0 technologies are well-regarded for their potential to boost sustainability, concrete implementations and their impacts are less documented. This review contributes both practically and theoretically to the pharmaceutical supply chain discourse. Practically, it provides a roadmap for integrating these technologies to enhance operational and environmental performance. Theoretically, it underscores the need for further empirical research to refine integration strategies and expand upon the theoretical frameworks that underpin Industry 5.0 technologies within the pharmaceutical sector.