1,2The Assam Royal Global University
Corresponding Author: Pankhi Devi, Email: pankhidevi@gmail.com
Received: 16th Dec, 2025; Revised: 8th Feb 2026; Accepted: 12th Feb, 2026; Available Online: 28th Feb, 2026
The rapid digitalisation of the pharmaceutical industry has transformed drug delivery systems, introducing advanced technologies and innovative payment methods such as cryptocurrencies. While these developments offer significant benefits—enhancing efficiency, transparency, and global reach—they also expose pharmaceutical organisations to unprecedented cybersecurity risks. Among these, cryptocurrency phishing attacks have emerged as a particularly insidious threat, exploiting human and technological vulnerabilities to compromise financial assets, disrupt the supply chain, and jeopardise patient safety.
This article explores the intersection of cryptocurrency phishing attacks and drug delivery systems, highlighting how the increasing reliance on digital platforms and decentralised payments creates new avenues for cybercriminals. Common attack vectors, including sophisticated phishing emails, business email compromise, and malware-laden attachments, are examined in the context of pharmaceutical operations. Real-world case studies and hypothetical scenarios illustrate the potential consequences of such attacks, from financial loss and operational downtime to regulatory breaches and reputational damage.
Recognising the critical need for robust defences, the article outlines comprehensive prevention and mitigation strategies tailored to the pharmaceutical sector. These include employee training, advanced authentication protocols, secure wallet management, and incident response planning. The evolving nature of both cyber threats and technological adoption in drug delivery underscores the importance of a proactive, multi-layered cybersecurity approach.
By synthesising insights from recent incidents, regulatory frameworks, and industry best practices, this review aims to equip pharmaceutical stakeholders with the knowledge and tools necessary to safeguard drug delivery systems against cryptocurrency phishing attacks. Ultimately, protecting these systems is essential not only for organisational resilience but also for ensuring patient trust and the uninterrupted delivery of life-saving medications.
Keywords: Cryptocurrency, Phishing, Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Cybersecurity, Supply Chain, Ransomware, Digital Payment, Healthcare Security
How to cite this article: Devi P, Barooah BC, Protecting Drug Delivery Systems from Cryptocurrency Phishing Attacks: A New Frontier in Pharmaceutical Cybersecurity. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026; 16(2): 562-568; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.2.60
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None